CureDuchenne Ventures, LLC, a company that funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announced today that they invested in TRiNDS, LLC, a new contract research organization born from the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group (CINRG) academic consortium. Therapeutic Research in Neuromuscular Disorders Solutions (TRiNDS) provides specialized clinical trial support and post marketing solutions for neuromuscular, particularly Duchenne, clinical research. CureDuchenne Ventures funding will allow TRiNDS to accelerate its operations.

TRiNDS provides four main solutions to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as well as academic investigators and clinical centers for their clinical needs: clinical operations, data management, biostatistics and study measurements. Members of the TRiNDS team, including its board of directors, have a long-term commitment to translational research and drug development in the neuromuscular community. The TRiNDS personnel and Board have played central roles in the design and management of the CINRG Duchenne Natural History Study, the largest longitudinal controlled study of patients of all ages with Duchenne. TRiNDS is the coordinating center for CINRG.

'We are proud to fill an emerging need in drug development for rare and orphan diseases like Duchenne,' said Lauren Morgenroth, Chief Operating Officer of TRiNDS. 'We are honored to collaborate with CureDuchenne Ventures who continues to be an innovator in funding Duchenne research and provides a strong link to the Duchenne community.'

'Working with CureDuchenne, an established leader in funding of orphan diseases, helps strengthen both organizations to accelerate drug treatments for these diseases. I am excited to continue working with individuals so dedicated to this cause,' said Heather Gordish-Dressman, President of TRiNDS Board.

CureDuchenne Ventures, LLC, is the investment arm of CureDuchenne, a leading non-profit dedicated to curing Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

'TRiNDS is involved in all phases of the clinical trial process and they can help guide the development of the right endpoint and the right target across the entire disease spectrum,' said Dr. Jak Knowles, managing director, CureDuchenne Ventures and member of the TRiNDS Board of Directors. 'TRiNDS' strong management team, statistical analysis and neuromuscular clinical trial expertise provide a centralized infrastructure supportive of orphan drug development. This is critical in helping to support clinical trials which will hopefully lead to approved treatments for Duchenne.'

About CureDuchenne Ventures

CureDuchenne Ventures LLC collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to facilitate the development of drugs to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. CureDuchenne Ventures LLC was formed by CureDuchenne, a national nonprofit that has funded nine research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials. CureDuchenne has leveraged $1.3 billion in follow-on investment from other foundations, venture capital, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies to fund research. CureDuchenne has been working to treat the whole disease with a multi-pronged approach to find treatments for the many effects that Duchenne has on the body.

About CureDuchenne

CureDuchenne was founded in 2003 with a focus on saving the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. With support from CureDuchenne, nine research projects have advanced to human clinical trials. CureDuchenne also is the innovator bringing physical therapy and standard of care to local communities around the country through CureDuchenne Cares. For more information, please visit CureDuchenne.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About TRiNDS

TRiNDS, LLC combines international disease expertise with regulatory agency compliant data and project management services as well as study design, biostatistical analyses and data management, and study measurements such as strength and function outcomes, biomarkers, and mobile health. TRiNDS, LLC team has over 15 years of experience coordinating neuromuscular clinical research studies. For more information, please visit www.trinds.com.