Andrea Lobo,  —

A new technology called StitchR effectively restored the production of large muscle proteins dystrophin and dysferlin in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), according to a study. The results have potential implications for gene therapies. The technology works by delivering two halves…

Despite positive trial data, Sarepta Therapeutics has decided to stop the clinical development of SRP-5051 (vesleteplirsen), an exon 51-skipping therapy for some people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). While increases in dystrophin levels seen with the exon-skipping treatment were encouraging, according to the company, concerns over the…

MDL-101, Modalis Therapeutics’ epigenetic editing therapy for LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation is intended to encourage the development of therapies for serious or life-threatening rare diseases, which are those affecting fewer than…

Capricor Therapeutics has started its rolling submission seeking U.S. approval of deramiocel, a cell therapy candidate to treat cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the company announced. Rolling submission means that Capricor will be submitting parts of the process to…

Atamyo Therapeutics has partnered with the Dion Foundation for Children with Rare Diseases to expand into the U.S. a clinical trial of ATA-200, a potential gene therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type 2C/R5 — dubbed LGMD2C/R5. The Phase 1b study (NCT05973630), designed to evaluate the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given WVE-N531, an investigational therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients amenable to exon 53 skipping, a rare pediatric drug designation. This status aims to incentivize companies developing treatments for serious or life-threatening conditions that primarily affect children and are considered…

A Phase 3 trial testing an experimental therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2i (LGMD2i) has surpassed patient enrollment for a planned interim analysis, the therapy’s developer BridgeBio Pharma has announced. The Phase 3 FORTIFY trial (NCT05775848) is evaluating the long-term safety and efficacy of BBP-418 in…

The gene therapy developed by Pfizer called fordadistrogene movaparvovec failed to significantly improve motor function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who are able to walk and taking part in a Phase 3 study. The company says it will evaluate the next steps for the fordadistrogene…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic version of Emflaza (deflazacort) oral suspension for the treatment of people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Called deflazacort oral suspension, the medication was approved for DMD patients 5 and older, a slightly older population than the…

After nearly three months of treatment with pitolisant, adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) experienced a reduction of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and fatigue. That’s according to data from the Phase 2 trial (NCT04886518), which is testing the safety and efficacy of Harmony Biosciences’ therapy in…