Our lead program is a gene editing therapy, MyoDys45-55, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating muscle wasting disease. MyoGene Bio utilizes new technologies to have a strong positive effect on disease progression by targeting the underlying cause of disease. Our company philosophy is to make meaningful impacts on muscle diseases through our dedication to honesty, integrity, and innovation.

Our Team

Our team is a dedicated group of scientists with over 50 cumulative years of experience in research and treatment of muscle diseases. We are experienced in innovative research, creating and managing biomedical research laboratories, and in the conduct of clinical trials.

Dr. Courtney Young

CEO, Co-founder

Dr. Young developed the gene editing platform that is the basis of MyoDys45-55 during her Ph.D. and postdoc in the Spencer and Pyle labs at UCLA. Her experience in muscle biology and diseases has spanned both academia and industry across the world. She has worked extensively in muscular dystrophy, stem cell therapy, and gene editing.

Dr. Young graduated with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Research in Biomedicine from University College London, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA.

She is dedicated to developing therapies for muscle diseases and is motivated to save lives by her cousin Christopher who was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2008.

Dr. Melissa Spencer

Scientific Advisor, Co-founder

Dr. Spencer is a Professor of Neurology, Co-Director of the Center of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Neuromuscular Program Director at UCLA. Dr. Spencer has worked in muscle biology and disease for over 30 years, doing both pre-clinical research and clinical trials in Duchenne.

Dr. Spencer completed her Ph.D. and post-doctoral work at UCLA. She was also the recipient of a PECASE (Presidential Early Career Award For Scientists and Engineers) and serves in leadership and advisory roles for federal and private agencies in the muscular dystrophy arena and on the UCLA campus.

Dr. April Pyle

Scientific Advisor, Co-founder

Dr. Pyle is a Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, member of the Center of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA. Dr. Pyle is an expert in stem cell biology and muscle differentiation.

Dr. Pyle completed her Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee and her post-doctoral work at Johns Hopkins University. She has received the Rose Hills Foundation Scholar Award and the UCLA Life Sciences Faculty Excellence Award.