2024 MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference

Initial results of the Phase 2 Open-Label Extension Study of AOC 1001 in Adults with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: MARINA-OLE™

AOC 1001-mediated Reduction of DMPK Leads to Increase in Functional MBNL Levels, Improving Muscle Function in Patients with DM1

AOC 1044 as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for DMD Patients Amenable to Exon 44 Skipping: EXPLORE44 Phase 1/2 Healthy Volunteer Data

Targeting DUX4 for Silencing with AOC for the Treatment of FSHD

Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trial Participation: An Exploration of Clinical Trial Site Engagement

2023 World Muscle Society Congress

Topline Safety and Efficacy Data Analysis of Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Evaluating AOC 1001 in Adults with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: MARINA™

AOC 1001 Demonstrates DMPK Reduction and Spliceopathy Improvement in a Phase 1/2 study in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) (MARINA™️️️)

Topline Data Analysis of the Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Evaluating AOC 1001 in Adult Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: MARINA™️️️

Phase 1/2 Trial Evaluating AOC 1044 in Healthy Volunteers and Participants with DMD Mutations Amenable to Exon 44 Skipping: EXPLORE44™️️️ Trial Design

Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate AOC 1020 for Adult Patients with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: FORTITUDE™️️️ Trial Design

Sex-related Utilization Differences in the 12-months After a Diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD)

More Prevalent Comorbidities, Healthcare Costs, and Service Utilization in Male Myotonic Dystrophy (DM) Patients and Female Patients

2023 FSHD Society International Research Congress

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Surgeries, Cardiovascular Testing, Mobility Aids and Healthcare Utilization After Diagnosis from a Real-World Data Analysis

Phase 1/2 Trial Evaluating AOC 1020 in Adults with FSHD: FORTITUDE Trial Design

AOC 1020: An Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugate (AOC) in Development for the Treatment of FSHD

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) Age-related Differences in Symptoms Among Patients Over and Under 40-Years

2023 MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference

Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Evaluating the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of AOC 1001 in Adults with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: MARINA Trial in Progress

AOC 1020: An Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugate (AOC) in Development for the Treatment of FSHD

Myotonic Dystrophy, Comorbid Conditions and Healthcare Utilization Based on a 5-Year Comparative Real-World Data Analysis

AOC 1044: An Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugate as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for DMD Patients Amenable to Exon 44 Skipping

Burden of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Patients with Mutations Amenable to Exon 44 Skipping (DMD44)

Phase 1/2 Trial Evaluating AOC 1020 Safety and Pharmacokinetics in Adults with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD): FORTITUDE Trial Design

Russell’s Story

At age 15, Russell received a long-awaited diagnosis of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). After two years of seeing various specialists, wondering what could explain his symptoms, and constant invalidation from healthcare providers, Russell finally received an explanation for his pain and limitations. In some ways, Russell found relief in his diagnosis as he could finally explain his condition to others and seek appropriate accommodations in school and athletics. Yet, at the same time, facing a rare and progressive muscle disease at a young age was daunting and heartbreaking.

The hardest part of my diagnosis was that I had dysfunction, but I wasn’t honest with myself that I had limitations. And because I wasn’t honest with myself, I couldn’t be honest with others.

While coping with an FSHD diagnosis was challenging, Russell chose to channel his frustration into another avenue: advocacy. Russell dove in and decided to become an integral part of the FSHD community. As a high school volleyball player, Russell and his team founded an annual event to fundraise for FSHD research and raise awareness. Shortly after, Russell became connected with the FSHD Society, the world’s largest research-focused patient organization for FSHD. Russell is now an ambassador for the FSHD Society and connects with newly diagnosed people to share his journey with others his age.

When Russell reached college, he found new avenues to further his commitment as he gained experience researching muscular dystrophies in a laboratory, including FSHD and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Motivated by a long and frustrating diagnostic journey, Russell is attending medical school with the hopes of using his platform as a future physician to elevate the voices of people living with rare diseases and to ensure that their needs are met.

One of the core reasons I wanted to go to medical school to become a doctor was to prevent others from experiencing the challenging diagnostic odyssey that I endured.

While Russell strives to maintain a positive outlook, he faces challenges with pain and everyday tasks. As a result, asking for accommodations has become a persistent component of his professional and personal life. In addition, explaining his condition can be emotionally exhausting as people often discredit his diagnosis because not all of his limitations are visible to others.

In a lot of ways, FSHD can be an invisible diagnosis. A lot of people don’t know from looking at me that I have a muscular dystrophy or that I have difficulties with certain tasks and aspects of daily living.

Despite these everyday challenges, Russell remains determined not to let FSHD weigh him down. Today, he enjoys hiking, fishing, reading, and traveling in his spare time. He is hopeful that soon there will be a treatment and ultimately, a cure for the condition. A few key ways Russell maintains a balance and manages his symptoms involve listening to his body and being conscious of certain parts of his body becoming overworked. Meeting with a physical therapist has been essential to achieving this balance while ensuring his actions are smart and safe. Sharing his practices and what has worked for him remains paramount as he connects with new patients and encourages them to keep moving forward.

Be honest with yourself and don’t give up hope. There’s research happening and there are things you can do to try to help yourself. You have to be your own advocate.