Sonothera reports ultrasound method delivers high levels of dystrophin in monkeys, a potential new route for Duchenne therapy

A California startup, Sonothera, is proposing an ultrasound‑based approach to deliver genes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment.

The company says its technology can introduce full-size dystrophin into monkey muscle, producing a 290% increase in the calves, roughly four times the baseline level.

While ultrasound has previously been used to move drugs such as chemotherapy, it has been considered too weak for gene delivery. Sonothera claims to have overcome that barrier.

The findings are still preclinical, and experts remain divided on whether the method will work in humans, but the data could spark renewed interest in non‑viral gene‑transfer strategies.