Design Therapeutics Ends Q1 with $222.8M Cash, Doses Patients in RESTORE-FA Trial
Design Therapeutics reported a Q1 net loss of $17.6 million, including $14.4 million in R&D and $5.3 million in G&A, ending March 31 with $222.8 million in cash to fund operations into 2029. The Phase1/2 RESTORE-FA DT-216P2 trial is dosing FA patients with frataxin biomarker data due H2 2026.
1. First Quarter Financial Results
Design reported Q1 2026 R&D expenses of $14.4 million, G&A of $5.3 million, and a net loss of $17.6 million, closing March 31 with $222.8 million in cash, equivalents and securities, providing runway into 2029.
2. RESTORE-FA Trial Progress
The Phase1/2 RESTORE-FA trial of DT-216P2 continues dosing FA patients in multiple ascending dose cohorts over four- or 12-week periods to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics and changes in frataxin mRNA and protein levels, with frataxin biomarker results expected in the second half of 2026.
3. Pipeline Milestones
Design is advancing a Phase 2 DT-168 biomarker trial in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy with data due in H2 2026, plans to initiate a Phase 1 DT-818 MAD trial in myotonic dystrophy type-1 in H1 2026, and is conducting preclinical work on Huntington’s disease candidates.
4. Board Appointment
David Shapiro, M.D., joined the board in March, bringing experience as a former Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at Intercept Pharmaceuticals and expertise in clinical development and regulatory strategy to support ongoing programs.