Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

A new viral vector that is better than conventional vectors — tools designed to deliver genetic material into cells — at targeting muscle cells may prove useful in developing a more effective gene therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD), according to researchers. In fact, this new vector “is more than…

Benitec Biopharma is taking steps to get the needed regulatory clearances to start clinical testing in Europe and the U.S. of BB-301, its experimental gene therapy for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy or OPMD, a type of the genetic disease that typically first affects the eyelids and the throat. The…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track status to EDG-5506, Edgewise Therapeutics’ investigational oral therapy for Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). This designation is given to experimental treatments that are intended to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. It confers certain benefits, like…

Sarepta Therapeutics has executed an exclusive license agreement for a gene therapy candidate that aims to treat limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A (LGMD2A), the company announced. The investigational therapy, called calpain 3 or CAPN-3, was developed at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus,…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Avidity Biosciences to start a Phase 1/2 clinical trial testing the company’s investigational therapy AOC 1001 in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). “The FDA clearance to proceed with our Phase 1/2 clinical trial for AOC 1001…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to LION-101, an investigational gene therapy that Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) is developing as a treatment for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9 (LGMD2I/R9). This designation is given to therapies designed to fill an unmet need in medical care for…

Vita Therapeutics announced that it has raised $32 million in financing to advance its work into cell-based therapies for muscular dystrophy. “At Vita Therapeutics our mission is to deliver long-term disease-modifying cell engineered treatments for patients living with muscular dystrophies and other high unmet medical needs,” Douglas Falk, the…

With current corticosteroid use, people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) typically lose their walking ability by their early teens, often need ventilation by their late teens, and usually survive until the third or fourth decade of life, according to a review study into the clinical course of DMD today.

Eurordis opened a campaign, called Rare 2030 Action, that is seeking to establish a European action plan for rare diseases to ensure that none of the 30 million people in Europe living with rare diseases are left behind by the start of a new decade. As part of…

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) is planning to launch a Phase 1/2 clinical study to evaluate LION-101, its investigational gene therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9 (LGMD2I/R9). Dosing in the trial is expected to start in the first half of next year. “We are excited to begin clinical trials…