Precision BioSciences (NASDAQ:DTIL) told shareholders at its annual meeting that it entered 2026 with what company leaders described as momentum in its lead in vivo gene editing programs and sufficient capital to advance key clinical milestones.
Kevin Buehler, chair of the board of directors, said the board and management remained focused over the past year on “disciplined execution” as the company advances its ARCUS genome editing platform for diseases with high unmet need. He cited progress in the company’s wholly owned programs, including PBGENE-HBV for chronic hepatitis B and PBGENE-DMD for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Clinical Progress Highlighted
Amoroso said Precision continued advancing PBGENE-HBV in the Phase 1 ELIMINATE-B trial and reported data showing safety and antiviral efficacy across the first three cohorts. He also said the company shared biopsy data that established what Precision described as the first molecular evidence of direct gene editing of viral DNA, known as cccDNA, in chronic hepatitis B patients.
“We believe these results represent an important step forward for our lead gene editing program and for the broader potential of ARCUS as a therapeutic platform,” Amoroso said.
The company expects to share additional data from the ELIMINATE-B trial at the EASL Congress in Barcelona next week and throughout 2026, according to Amoroso.
Precision also advanced PBGENE-DMD, which Amoroso described as a novel muscle-targeted gene excision program applicable to about 60% of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. During 2025, the company completed IND-enabling activities and submitted its investigational new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In early 2026, Precision received FDA clearance to begin the Phase 1/2 FUNCTION-DMD clinical trial.
Amoroso said the company recently activated its first clinical site at the Children’s Hospital of Arkansas. Precision is targeting enrollment of multiple patients this year and plans to provide a clinical data update by year-end.
Financing Extends Runway
Amoroso said Precision strengthened its financial position through a $75 million equity financing that extended its anticipated cash runway through 2028. He said the financing provides operational flexibility and capital to pursue expected clinical value inflection points across PBGENE-HBV and PBGENE-DMD.
The company also pointed to progress in partnered programs using the ARCUS platform. Amoroso said Precision was encouraged by clinical progress across three cohorts in the iECURE trial for OTC deficiency, as well as advancement of ex vivo CAR T programs from partners Imugene and TG Therapeutics.
“The progress by our partners reinforces the potential of the ARCUS platform and the value of our collaboration strategy,” Amoroso said.
Shareholders Approve Annual Meeting Proposals
Precision shareholders voted on six proposals at the annual meeting. Based on the preliminary report from the inspector of election, Amoroso said each proposal was approved.
- Melinda Brown and Geno Germano were elected as Class I directors to serve until the company’s 2029 annual meeting.
- Shareholders ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as Precision’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026.
- Shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the company’s named executive officers.
- Shareholders approved the amendment and restatement of the company’s 2019 Incentive Award Plan.
- Shareholders approved an amendment to the company’s certificate of incorporation to provide for officer exculpation as permitted under Delaware law.
- Shareholders approved an adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.
Naresh Tanna, Precision’s vice president of investor relations, said there were no shareholder questions during the meeting. Amoroso said the final vote tally will be published within four business days in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Precision BioSciences (NASDAQ:DTIL)
Precision BioSciences is a clinical‐stage genome editing company that leverages its proprietary ARCUS platform to develop targeted gene therapies. ARCUS, an engineered nuclease derived from a naturally occurring enzyme, enables precise DNA modifications for both in vivo and ex vivo applications. The company’s pipeline spans genetic diseases—including rare monogenic disorders—and immuno‐oncology, where it is advancing allogeneic cell therapy candidates designed to address hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
Founded in 2006 as a spin‐out from research at the University of North Carolina, Precision BioSciences is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with additional research and manufacturing capabilities located in the Research Triangle Park area.
