Chip Wilson announces $100-million commitment to curing facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

His new venture, called Solve FSHD, aims to stop muscle degeneration, increase muscle regeneration and strength, and improve the quality of life for those affected by the disorder

Credit: Chip Wilson

The Lululemon founder’s new venture, called Solve FSHD, aims to stop muscle degeneration, increase muscle regeneration and strength, and improve the quality of life for those affected by the disorder

In a press conference on March 8, Chip Wilson announced a new project: Solve FSHD, a venture organization with the goal of finding a cure for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Wilson has committed $100 million to this cause.

Wilson (of Lululemon Athletica, Low Tide Properties and several other businesses) was diagnosed with FSHD at age 32. Now 66 years old, he says that 40 percent of his muscles have been turned to fibrous tissues and fat. During the conference, Wilson compared his body to the body of a person without FSHD, pointing out the white, fatty areas that have amalgamated in his arms, lower back and legs.

“I’m out for survival of my own life, but I have the resources to help others,” he said. Explaining that the project’s goal is to “be a catalyst to take care of bottlenecks in FSHD, find a cure or grow muscle faster than the body can eat it up,” he spoke confidently about Solve FSHD’s future work: “This could be one of the biggest discoveries of all time.”

Wilson indicated that the advances in medicine supported by Solve FSHD may impact everyone, not just those who have muscle disorders. He referred to “a longevity drug like I don’t think we’ve ever seen before.”

Wilson’s $100-million kick-starter will also work to “fund innovative biotech and biopharma research and development activities that accelerate novel treatments and therapies,” according to a release from Solve FSHD.

At the conference, Wilson clarified that Solve FSHD is a company, not a foundation. He said that by December 31, 2027, Solve FSHD will have found either a cure or a way to regrow muscle faster than it depletes.

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