Design Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DSGN) updates trials, posts Q2 loss
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Design Therapeutics reported second quarter 2026 results and pipeline updates. In the RESTORE-FA trial of DT-216P2 for Friedreich ataxia, four-week data showed dose-dependent increases in endogenous frataxin and clinical improvements. The study is being modified to treat 10 patients for 12 weeks at a planned go-forward dose of 1 mpk, designate endogenous blood FXN protein percent change from baseline as the primary efficacy endpoint, and explore a dose above 1 mpk. An update on registrational plans is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, with 12-week data expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Across the GeneTAC® pipeline, patient dosing has begun in a Phase 1 multiple-ascending dose trial of DT-818 in myotonic dystrophy type 1, with data anticipated in 2027, and a Phase 2 biomarker trial of DT-168 in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is ongoing, with data now expected in 2027 following a supply delay. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, research and development expenses were $16.4 million, general and administrative expenses were $5.8 million, and net loss was $20.2 million, or $0.32 per share. Cash, cash equivalents and investment securities totaled $207.4 million, which the company stated provides a “strong financial runway.”
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8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
RESTORE-FA medical
multiple-ascending dose medical
biomarker trial medical
GeneTAC® medical
Earnings Snapshot
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FAQ
What clinical updates did Design Therapeutics (DSGN) provide for the RESTORE-FA trial?
What were Design Therapeutics' (DSGN) key financial results for Q2 2026?
How much cash does Design Therapeutics (DSGN) have as of June 30, 2026?
What is the status of DT-818 and DT-168 in Design Therapeutics' (DSGN) pipeline?
Which diseases beyond Friedreich ataxia is Design Therapeutics (DSGN) targeting?
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 2.02 |
Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
On August 3, 2026, Design Therapeutics, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
The information in this Item and the exhibit attached hereto, are being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether filed before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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99.1 |
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Press Release of Design Therapeutics, Inc. dated August 3, 2026 |
104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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Design Therapeutics, Inc. |
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Date: |
August 3, 2026 |
By: |
/s/ Pratik Shah, Ph.D. |
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Pratik Shah, Ph.D. |
Exhibit 99.1
Design Therapeutics Provides RESTORE-FA Clinical Development Update and Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
RESTORE-FA trial modifications build on positive four-week data; expect to share data based on 12 weeks of dosing in the first quarter of 2027
Patient dosing initiated in Phase 1 multiple-ascending dose trial of DT-818 in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Cash and securities of $207.4 million at quarter-end provide strong financial runway
Carlsbad, Calif., August 3, 2026 - Design Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSGN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for serious degenerative genetic diseases, today reported second quarter 2026 financial results and highlighted business updates and upcoming milestones across its GeneTAC® portfolio.
“Design continued its strong operational execution in the second quarter building on the positive RESTORE-FA data reported in May. Those four-week data demonstrated the ability of DT-216P2 to increase endogenous frataxin and its potential to deliver a differentiated, best-in-disease therapy for Friedreich ataxia,” said Pratik Shah, Ph.D., chairperson and chief executive officer of Design Therapeutics. “Today's updates reflect continued progress across our pipeline, from the evolution of the DT-216P2 clinical program to the recent initiation of DT-818 dosing in DM1 patients, demonstrating the momentum of our GeneTAC® platform across multiple serious genetic diseases.”
RESTORE-FA Progress
GeneTAC® Pipeline Progress:
Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
About Design Therapeutics
Design Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of therapies based on its platform of GeneTAC® gene targeted chimera small molecules. The company’s GeneTAC® molecules are designed to either dial up or dial down the expression of a specific disease-causing gene to address the underlying cause of disease. In addition to its clinical-stage GeneTAC® programs, DT-216P2, in development for patients with Friedreich ataxia, DT-168, for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, and DT-818, for myotonic dystrophy type-1, the company is advancing a program in Huntington’s disease. Discovery efforts are underway for multiple genomic medicines. For more information, please visit designtx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical in nature are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to: projections from early-stage programs, nonclinical data and early-stage clinical data; the progression or completion of certain development activities, including the selection of development candidates; the initiation and progression of studies and clinical trials for DT-216P2, DT-168 and DT-818 and the timing thereof; the anticipated timing for data readouts and other program updates; planned modifications to the RESTORE-FA trial; the potential attributes and potential best-in-disease profile of DT-818; establishing clinical proof of concept for any product candidate; Design's ability to advance the GeneTAC® platform; Design’s estimated cash runway and the sufficiency of its resources to support its planned operations; and the capabilities and potential advantages of Design’s pipeline of GeneTAC® molecules. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “designed to,” “anticipates,” “capable of,” “plans to,” “expects,” “estimate,” “intends,” “will,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Design’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: the data we observe from early clinical and nonclinical studies may impact our clinical development plans; pursuing a biomarker-driven clinical development strategy carries increased risks as there are currently a limited number of approved biomarker-specific therapies; nonclinical development activities and results of nonclinical studies; conducting a clinical trial and patient enrollment and retention, which are affected by many factors, and any difficulties or
delays encountered with such clinical trial or patient enrollment or retention may delay or otherwise adversely affect Design’s clinical development plans; the process of discovering and developing therapies that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics and operating as a development stage company; undesirable side effects or other undesirable properties, which could cause Design or regulatory authorities to suspend or discontinue clinical trials and thereby delay or prevent Design’s product candidates’ development or regulatory approval; Design’s ability to develop, initiate or complete nonclinical studies and clinical trials for its product candidates on the timeframe anticipated, or at all; whether promising early research or clinical trials will result in demonstrated safety and/or efficacy in later clinical trials; changes in Design’s plans to develop its product candidates; reliance on third parties to successfully conduct clinical trials and nonclinical studies; competitive products, which may make any products we develop or seek to develop obsolete or noncompetitive; Design’s reliance on third parties, including contract manufacturers and contract research organizations; interactions with regulatory authorities; Design’s ability to raise any additional funding it will need to continue to pursue its business and product development plans; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Design’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; and Design’s ability to recruit and retain key scientific or management personnel. For a more detailed discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Design’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including under the “Risk Factors” heading of Design’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the SEC on April 28, 2026, and under the “Risk Factors” heading of Design’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, being filed with the SEC later today. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Design undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.
# # #
Contact:
Renee Leck, THRUST
renee@thrustsc.com
DESIGN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
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Three Months Ended June 30, |
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Six Months Ended June 30, |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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(unaudited) |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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$ |
16,388 |
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$ |
15,738 |
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$ |
30,767 |
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$ |
31,115 |
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General and administrative |
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5,789 |
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5,831 |
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11,116 |
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10,872 |
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Total operating expenses |
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22,177 |
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21,569 |
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41,883 |
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41,987 |
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Loss from operations |
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(22,177 |
) |
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(21,569 |
) |
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(41,883 |
) |
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(41,987 |
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Other income, net |
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2,012 |
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2,486 |
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4,082 |
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5,189 |
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Net loss |
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$ |
(20,165 |
) |
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$ |
(19,083 |
) |
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$ |
(37,801 |
) |
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$ |
(36,798 |
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Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
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$ |
(0.32 |
) |
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$ |
(0.34 |
) |
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$ |
(0.61 |
) |
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$ |
(0.65 |
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Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted |
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62,505,340 |
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56,859,388 |
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61,972,857 |
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56,808,888 |
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DESIGN THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
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June 30, |
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December 31, |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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(unaudited) |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash, cash equivalents and investment securities |
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$ |
207,396 |
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$ |
219,845 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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4,617 |
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3,939 |
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Total current assets |
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212,013 |
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223,784 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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694 |
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981 |
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Right-of-use asset |
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2,422 |
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1,438 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
215,129 |
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$ |
226,203 |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
3,141 |
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$ |
2,312 |
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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8,099 |
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10,743 |
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Total current liabilities |
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11,240 |
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13,055 |
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Operating lease liability |
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2,031 |
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645 |
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Total liabilities |
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13,271 |
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13,700 |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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201,858 |
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212,503 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
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$ |
215,129 |
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$ |
226,203 |
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