Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

DMD gene therapy Elevidys wins conditional approval in Japan

Note: This story was updated May 19, 2025, to clarify the requirements needed for Elevidys to transition to full approval. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) has conditionally approved the gene therapy Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl) to treat some cases of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The…

FDA set to decide on deramiocel for DMD cardiomyopathy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on track to make a decision about deramiocel, an experimental cell therapy designed to treat heart disease in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), by the end of August. The FDA agreed this year to review an application to approve deramiocel for…

FDA OKs trial of SRP-9005 gene therapy for LGMD type 2C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Sarepta Therapeutics to start dosing and screening in a first clinical trial testing the gene therapy SRP-9005 in people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C). Sarepta said advancement continues for SRP-9003 and SRP-9004, two gene therapies…

MDA 2025: Donavon Decker honored for decades of advocacy

Patient advocate Donavon Decker has been given the 2025 MDA Legacy Award for Community Impact in Research, recognizing his efforts across decades on behalf of the muscular dystrophy community. Decker, who has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type 2D, was honored at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)’s annual…

MDA 2025: DMD gene therapy RGX-202 well tolerated, data show

RGX-202, a one-time gene therapy designed to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has been well tolerated in an ongoing clinical trial, with no serious side effects reported. Interim data from the Phase 1/2 part of the trial, which is sponsored by RGX-202’s developer Regenxbio, also indicate that…