South San Francisco-based Epicrispr Biotechnologies has closed a USD 90 million oversubscribed Series C financing round to advance its lead epigenetic gene therapy, EPI-321, toward pivotal studies in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a progressive and currently untreatable neuromuscular disease.
The round was co-led by Octagon Capital and Janus Henderson Investors, with participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company, Cormorant Asset Management, Duquesne Family Office, Sanofi Ventures, funds managed by abrdn Inc., Angelini Ventures, Readout Capital, and existing investors. Anran Li of Octagon Capital will join Epicrispr's board of directors. The financing brings the company's total disclosed funding to approximately USD 213 million, following a USD 55 million Series A in July 2022 led by Horizons Ventures and a USD 68 million Series B first close in March 2025 led by Ally Bridge Group. Proceeds will support pivotal clinical development of EPI-321, expansion of the company's proprietary Gene Expression Modulation System (GEMS) platform, and manufacturing scale-up — the latter underpinned by a separate adeno-associated virus (AAV) manufacturing partnership with Forge Biologics announced in May 2026.
EPI-321 is an investigational AAV-delivered epigenetic therapy designed to silence the pathological DUX4 gene in skeletal muscle through targeted re-methylation of the D4Z4 repeat region — addressing the upstream molecular driver of FSHD without permanently altering the underlying DNA sequence. Enrollment in the ongoing Phase I/II first-in-human trial has been completed. Interim data reported by the company indicated statistically significant increases in whole-body lean muscle volume measured by MRI, circulating biomarker changes consistent with DUX4 suppression, and a manageable safety profile following a single administration. Additional data from the trial are expected later this year.