1. Like a startup Vertex Pharmaceuticals, but focused on developing drugs for genetic diseases caused by specific DNA 'repeats'.

2. A discovery-stage Biogen, but specializing in a range of neurological and neuromuscular genetic diseases.

3. An early-stage Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, building a platform to treat genetic diseases caused by runaway DNA 'repeats'.

• Friedreich Ataxia Therapy Candidate: A therapeutic candidate being developed for Friedreich Ataxia, a progressive genetic disease impacting multiple organ systems due to mitochondrial dysfunction.
• Myotonic Dystrophy Type-1 (DM1) Therapy Candidate: A therapeutic candidate aimed at treating Myotonic Dystrophy Type-1 (DM1), a dominantly-inherited, progressive neuromuscular disease.
• GeneTAC Product Candidate Portfolio: A portfolio of therapeutic candidates focused on addressing a range of other monogenic diseases caused by nucleotide repeat expansions, such as Fragile X syndrome and Huntington disease.

Design Therapeutics (DSGN) is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. As described, the company is engaged in the development of therapies for genetic diseases, and its product candidates are still in the preclinical stage. This means they have not yet commercialized any products or therapies.

Consequently, Design Therapeutics does not currently have major customers, either individuals or other companies, who are purchasing their products or services. Their primary activities at this stage involve research and development, funded by investors, rather than generating revenue from product sales.

Pratik Shah, Ph.D. Co-Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson and Principal Financial Officer

Dr. Shah is a co-founder of Design Therapeutics. He serves as chairperson of the board at ARS Pharmaceuticals. Until February 2020, he was chairperson of Synthorx, Inc., a biotechnology company acquired by Sanofi for $2.5 billion. Previously, he was president and chief executive officer of Auspex Pharmaceuticals, which he led through its initial public offering and subsequent acquisition by Teva Pharmaceuticals for $3.5 billion in 2015. Before that, Dr. Shah was a partner at the healthcare venture capital firm Thomas, McNerney & Partners for nearly a decade and co-founded two other biotechnology companies. He has served as Principal Financial Officer since August 2023.

Julie Burgess, C.P.A. Chief Accounting Officer

Julie Burgess is the chief accounting officer at Design Therapeutics.

Sean Jeffries, Ph.D. Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Jeffries brings over two decades of experience in biopharma, with extensive experience in strategy and research and development. Prior to joining Design, he led projects for R&D and therapeutic strategies for biopharma at the Boston Consulting Group and was instrumental in pioneering miniPCR. He also established and led the informatics group at Kalypsys.

Chris Storgard, M.D. Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Storgard was appointed Chief Medical Officer in April 2025, bringing over two decades of leadership and drug development experience, having successfully advanced multiple assets from preclinical stages through global regulatory approvals. Most recently, he served as CMO at ADARx Pharmaceuticals, where he transitioned the organization from research to development-stage operations. He also held CMO positions at Heron Therapeutics, overseeing teams that secured multiple U.S. and European approvals, and at Fate Therapeutics, where he filed the first investigational new drug application for an iPSC-derived, off-the-shelf, natural killer cell product. Earlier, he was Vice President of Clinical Research and Development at Ardea Biosciences (an AstraZeneca Company), where he led the global clinical program for lesinurad to regulatory approvals.

Tadimeti Rao, Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer

Dr. Rao has over thirty years of drug discovery and development experience. He participated in highly matrixed drug discovery programs at Pfizer, Merck, Auspex, Kalypsys, J&J, and Vividion, which delivered novel chemical entities for clinical evaluation in various therapeutic areas.

1. Clinical Development and Regulatory Failure: Design Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, meaning its success is highly dependent on the successful development, clinical testing, and regulatory approval of its product candidates, including those for Friedreich Ataxia and Myotonic Dystrophy Type-1. The drug development process is inherently uncertain, lengthy, costly, and has a high rate of failure. There is no guarantee that any of their current or future product candidates will prove safe and effective in clinical trials or that they will receive the necessary regulatory approvals.
2. Lack of Commercial Products and Revenue: As a preclinical-stage company, Design Therapeutics currently has no approved products on the market and, consequently, generates no revenue from product sales. The company is entirely dependent on its ability to successfully develop and commercialize its product candidates to generate revenue, which is years away, if ever. This also implies the company will require substantial additional funding to continue its research and development efforts, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.
3. Competition and Intellectual Property Protection: The biopharmaceutical industry is highly competitive, and Design Therapeutics' product candidates may face competition from existing or future therapies developed by other companies for the same indications. Furthermore, the company's ability to compete effectively will depend significantly on its ability to obtain, maintain, and enforce intellectual property rights, particularly patents, for its GeneTAC product candidates and other technologies. Any failure to secure or defend its intellectual property could adversely affect its competitive position and future profitability.

The addressable markets for Design Therapeutics' main products are as follows:

Friedreich Ataxia

• The global Friedreich Ataxia market was valued at approximately USD 2.63 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.59 billion by 2032.
• Another estimate places the global market size at USD 2.634 billion in 2024, with a projection to grow to USD 8.402 billion by 2035.
• In the 7 major markets (7MM), the Friedreich Ataxia market was valued at USD 660.4 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,882.2 million by 2035. North America is noted as a dominant region in this market.

Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1)

• The global Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) market is projected to grow from USD 1,550 million in 2024 to USD 3,204 million by 2032.
• Another report estimates the global myotonic dystrophy treatment market was valued at USD 778.62 million by the end of 2022, with a projection to reach approximately USD 2,789.35 million by 2033.
• Within the 7 major markets (7MM), the Myotonic Dystrophy market is anticipated to experience consistent growth between 2024 and 2034. In 2023, the U.S. alone accounted for approximately 54,068 diagnosed prevalent cases of Myotonic Dystrophy. North America holds a significant market share, followed by Europe.

For Design Therapeutics (DSGN), a preclinical and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases, the expected drivers of future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years are primarily tied to the successful advancement of its GeneTAC® platform and lead product candidates through clinical development, which could lead to partnerships, licensing agreements, or eventual market commercialization.

1. Successful Clinical Development and Data Readouts for DT-216P2 in Friedreich Ataxia (FA): Design Therapeutics is currently evaluating DT-216P2 in the RESTORE-FA Phase 1/2 multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial. The company anticipates providing an update on frataxin levels after 12 weeks of dosing in the second half of 2026. Positive and durable clinical signals for DT-216P2 are considered a significant validation of both the lead asset and the GeneTAC® platform, which could drive future value.

2. Advancement and Data Readouts for DT-168 in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD): The company has completed a Phase 1 trial for its eye-drop candidate DT-168 in healthy volunteers with favorable safety results and is conducting a Phase 2 biomarker study. Data from this Phase 2 trial is expected in the second half of 2026. DT-168 has the potential to be a first-in-class effective treatment addressing the root cause of FECD, representing a significant market opportunity.

3. Initiation and Early Clinical Data for DT-818 in Myotonic Dystrophy Type-1 (DM1): Design Therapeutics plans to begin dosing DM1 patients with its GeneTAC® small molecule development candidate, DT-818, in a Phase 1 MAD trial in the first half of 2026. Preclinical data for DT-818 has shown over 90% reduction in toxic RNA foci in DM1 patient cells, suggesting a potential best-in-disease profile. Results from this Phase 1 MAD trial are anticipated in 2027.

4. Pipeline Expansion and Advancement of the Huntington's Disease (HD) Program: Beyond its lead programs, Design Therapeutics continues to advance preclinical studies for promising GeneTAC® candidate molecules for Huntington's Disease. These candidates have demonstrated selective mutant huntingtin reduction in patient cells and mouse models. The company intends to declare additional product candidates for other nucleotide repeat expansion disorders, such as Fragile X syndrome, as they progress towards the clinic, further validating the broad applicability of its GeneTAC® platform.

Share Issuance

• Design Therapeutics went public in 2021 through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
• In December 2025, 295,312 shares of common stock from stock options granted to the President, CEO, and Chairperson vested, following the satisfaction of a performance condition.

Inbound Investments

• Design Therapeutics conducted an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2021, becoming a publicly held company after being formerly venture capital-backed.
• As of December 31, 2025, the company maintained a strong cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities position of $219.8 million, which it expects to fund planned operations into 2029.

Capital Expenditures

• Research and development (R&D) expenses, which represent the company's primary investment, were $59.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2025, an increase from $44.4 million in 2024.
• The primary focus of these expenditures is on advancing the GeneTAC® pipeline, including clinical programs for Friedreich ataxia (DT-216P2), Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (DT-168), Myotonic Dystrophy Type-1 (DT-818), and preclinical work in Huntington's disease.
• The company's cash position of $219.8 million as of December 31, 2025, is anticipated to fund these planned operations and R&D activities into 2029.