May 18, 2026 (PRISM News via COMTEX) --
Design Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSGN) jumped 27% higher Monday after the company unveiled positive four-week data from its RESTORE-FA trial of DT-216P2 in patients with Friedreich ataxia.
Strong Early Signals from RESTORE-FA Trial
According to the company, DT-216P2 delivered dose-dependent improvements across multiple clinical measures, while also boosting endogenous frataxin mRNA and protein levels after four weeks of intravenous dosing. Furthermore, the drug proved generally well-tolerated throughout the trial.
Clinical Measures Show Meaningful Improvement
In the Phase 1/2 study, 16 patients completed treatment with weekly intravenous DT-216P2 across dose cohorts of 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, and 1 mpk for four weeks as of May 17. Notably, patients at the 1 mpk dose achieved mean improvements from baseline of 6.4 points on the modified Friedreich’s Ataxia Rating Scale and 2.7 points on the Upright Stability Score.
Fatigue Reduction Exceeds Clinical Thresholds
Beyond these clinical gains, the treatment produced changes exceeding five points in patient-reported fatigue, as measured by the PROMIS Fatigue Scale, both at the conclusion of four weeks of treatment and two weeks after the final dose. This result comfortably surpassed the three-point threshold that researchers generally consider a minimal important change in fatigue.
Biomarker Data Confirms Mechanism of Action
On the biomarker front, whole blood FXN mRNA levels jumped 65% from baseline at the 1 mpk dose after four weeks of treatment. Additionally, the trial revealed dose-dependent increases in endogenous FXN across FXN mRNA and protein assays in whole blood, as well as FXN mRNA measurements in affected muscle tissue.
Favorable Safety Profile
From a safety standpoint, the trial recorded no serious adverse events or treatment discontinuations, and all adverse events were either mild or moderate. However, three patients experienced mild to moderate transient alanine transaminase elevations, which investigators classified as possibly or probably related to DT-216P2.
Path Forward
Based on these encouraging results, Design Therapeutics plans to pursue a registrational path and will share further details on its strategy in the fourth quarter of 2026.
About Design Therapeutics Inc.
Design was founded with a vision of restoring health to patients with genetic disorders by harnessing their body's own biology.
Their team consists of recognized global leaders in the fields of DNA-targeted small molecules, transcription modulation, medicinal chemistry, translation, and development into clinical applications.
This collective knowledge and expertise serve as the engine for their innovative approach and makes them uniquely equipped to harness the power of our GeneTAC(R)small molecules for the treatment of genetic disease. For more investor relations information about Design Therapeutics Inc. please visit www.investors .designtx.com .
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