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

Sarepta planning to seek expanded Elevidys approval after EMBARK

While a Phase 3 clinical trial of Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl) has failed to meet its main goal, the results nonetheless showed that, compared with a placebo, the approved gene therapy led to notable improvements across numerous measures of physical function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Top-line findings…

DYNE-251 for DMD, DYNE-101 for DM1 showing safety in early trials

DYNE-251, an experimental treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is being well tolerated by patients in an ongoing clinical trial, according to the therapy’s developer, Dyne Therapeutics. Dyne also reported positive safety data from an ongoing trial of DYNE-101, the company’s investigational therapy for myotonic dystrophy type…

In models of DMD, gene editing allows exon skipping

A gene editing approach can restore dystrophin production in cell and animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to its researchers. The study, “Targeting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Skipping DMD Exon 45 with Base Editors,” was published in Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids. DMD is caused by…

Vamorolone recommended for approval in EU as DMD treatment

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has recommended that vamorolone be approved in the European Union to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients ages 4 and older. The recommendation, from the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), now will be reviewed by the European…

AOC 1001 improves measures of muscle strength in DM1 trial

People with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) reported gains in measures of muscle strength after being treated with AOC 1001 in a clinical trial. That’s according to new data announced by Avidity Biosciences, the developer of AOC 1001. The findings “reinforce our belief in the potential of AOC 1001…

HOPE-3 trial could support approval of CAP-1002

Capricor Therapeutics intends to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve its experimental cell therapy CAP-1002 for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in 2025. The company recently completed a meeting with the agency, which confirmed that data from the ongoing Phase 3 clinical…

Study of EDG-5506 now enrolling adults with Becker MD

A Phase 2 clinical trial testing the investigational oral medication EDG-5506 in people with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is expanding, with plans to enroll 120 additional adults with the genetic disorder. According to EDG-5506’s developer Edgewise Therapeutics, enrollment in the expanded study is ongoing. The company is hosting…

Translarna approval for DMD in EU not recommended for renewal

The conditional approval of Translarna (ataluren) in Europe as a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — in place for nearly a decade — should now not be renewed, a committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended. The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use…

AOC 1044 receives FDA orphan drug designation for DMD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to AOC 1044, an experimental exon 44-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that’s being developed by Avidity Biosciences. Orphan drug designation is given to therapies with the potential to treat rare disorders, those that affect fewer…