Press Release FeedGet the RSS feed
Menu

Business Wire

Affinia Therapeutics’ AFTX-201 and UPBEAT™ Clinical Trial in BAG3 DCM Featured at the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Business Wire

AFTX-201 is a potential best-in-class investigational genetic medicine for the treatment of BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

WALTHAM, Mass., October 09, 2026--Affinia Therapeutics ("Affinia"), an innovative clinical-stage gene therapy company with a pipeline of first-in-class and/or best-in-class adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies initially for devastating cardiovascular diseases, today announced that AFTX-201 preclinical and translational data and the Phase 1/2 UPBEAT™ clinical trial investigating AFTX-201 in patients with BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), will be featured at the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Annual Scientific Meeting 2026.

Laura Richman, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP, Chief Development Officer at Affinia will deliver an oral presentation entitled, "AFTX-201: A low-dose, investigational AAV gene therapy using a cardiotropic capsid for the treatment of BAG3-associated dilated cardiomyopathy: Journey to the clinic," on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 1:21 PM PT (abstract 1639; Oral Abstract Session 3A, Stage 1).

"BAG3 DCM represents a substantial unmet medical need, as patients experience an early onset and progressive cardiac dysfunction with no existing approved therapeutic option that addresses the underlying disease mechanism," said Dr. Richman. "AFTX-201 is designed to address the genetic cause of BAG3 DCM and preclinical studies in an animal model of BAG3 DCM demonstrated a transformative one-time treatment that restored cardiac function and reversed structural abnormalities. We are delighted to advance the UPBEAT clinical trial evaluating AFTX-201 in BAG3 DCM at a number of institutions in the U.S. and Canada so that we can bring a much-needed treatment option to people living with BAG3 DCM."

Affinia is also sponsoring an industry innovation event that will bring together internationally recognized leaders in cardiovascular medicine and research to review emerging insights in genetic architecture in DCM, gene therapy for BAG3 and other DCMs, and Affinia's UPBEAT clinical trial. The dinner presentation, "Dilated Cardiomyopathies and Gene Therapy: UPBEAT Clinical Trial in BAG3 DCM with AFTX-201, an Investigational Gene Therapy Using a Low-Dose Cardiotropic Capsid," will be held Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 7:30-9:00 PM PT at the Sheraton Hotel Ahwatukee Room, Level 2. No RSVP is required.

Ray E. Hershberger, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine and Human Genetics at The Ohio State University, and Founder and Principal Investigator, Dilated Cardiomyopathy Research Project, and Joshua M. Hare, M.D., FACC, FAHA, the Louis Lemberg Professor of Medicine and Director, Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, at the University of Miami and UPBEAT trial Investigator will be joined by Dr. Richman and Jonathan Plehn, M.D., FACC, Vice President, Clinical Development, Affinia Therapeutics.

  1. SaaSVantageScoreNew VantageScore 4.0 Mortgage Credit Score Simulator API Helps Lenders Say "Yes" to More Mortgage ApplicantsNew VantageScore 4.0 Credit Score Simulator API Provides Actionable Credit Score Improvement Plans New API Simulates and Forecasts Credit Score for All Three Credit Reports: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion Integrates Seamlessly into Existing LOS Systems SAN FRANCISCO, October 16, 2026--VantageScore t
  2. AM Best Maintains Under Review With Negative Implications Status for Members of Curi Insurance GroupOLDWICK, N.J., October 16, 2026--AM Best has maintained the under review with negative implications status for the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of "a-" (Excellent) for the members of Curi Insurance Group (Curi) (Raleigh, NC)
  3. AM Best Revises Issuer Credit Rating Outlook to Positive, Affirms Credit Ratings of Sura Re Ltd.MEXICO CITY, October 16, 2026--AM Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable for the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of "bbb" (Good) of Sura Re Ltd. (Sura Re) (Bermuda). The outlook of the FSR
  4. EducationCerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP File Lawsuit Against Cabrillo Unified School District Alleging Years of Sexual Abuse by Former Teacher and CoachSAN JOSE, Calif, October 16, 2026--A civil lawsuit filed by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard, LLP in San Mateo County Superior Court alleges that Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) failed to protect a student from years of sexual abuse by former teacher and coach Paul Farnsworth, known as "Farnz", despite repeated warning signs and alleged violations of appropriate adult-student boun
  5. HealthcareStarton Therapeutics Inc.Starton Therapeutics to Participate in Spotlight Panel at BioFuture 2026PARAMUS, N.J., October 16, 2026--Starton Therapeutics Inc. ("Starton"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company employing standard-of-care therapies with proprietary delivery technologies, announced today that Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jamie Oliver, Pharm.D., will participate as a panelist at BioFuture
  6. TravelParis Hilton Unites 200+ Neurodivergent Creators for UNSTOPPABLE, a First-of-Its-Kind ADHD Creator SummitParis Hilton, Stacey Bendet, Anton Rabie and Nancy Armstrong. Photo: Miranda McDonald Paris Hilton Welcome Speech at UNSTOPPABLE ADHD Creator Summit The immersive summit convened leading creators with a combined audience reach of over 500 million, alongside experts and advocates, to celebrate neurodiversity and change the