Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is seeking adults with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy to serve on the 2021 PPMD Adult Advisory Committee (PAAC). The committee is meant to represent the teen and adult voice of people living with these conditions, and to help their…

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals’ investigational oral therapy edasalonexent failed to preserve muscle function and overall functionality in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), top-line data from the PolarisDMD Phase 3 clinical trial show. “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the results of our Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial,” Jill C.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to PF-06939926, Pfizer’s investigational gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This designation is given to treatments that show considerable potential in addressing serious conditions for which available treatments fall short. It is…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted its clinical hold on the Phase 1/2 trial testing SGT-001, Solid Biosciences’ investigational gene therapy for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the company announced. Updated safety and effectiveness data for all patients dosed to date,…

A Phase 1 clinical trial of BBP-418, a potential first oral therapy for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2i (LGMD2i), has dosed its first healthy volunteer, ML Bio Solutions announced. The company also announced that children and adults with a confirmed LGMD2i genetic diagnosis are invited to join a natural history…

NS Pharma’s lead candidate viltolarsen safely and effectively increases dystrophin levels and promotes improvements in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) amenable to exon 53 skipping, final data from a Phase 2 trial show. “As a pediatric neurologist who specializes in the treatment of DMD, I am encouraged by the dystrophin…

Pfizer’s experimental gene therapy PF-06939926 promotes sustained production of a shorter but functional version of dystrophin — the protein lacking in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — and improves motor abilities in boys with the disorder, according to updated data from a Phase 1b trial. “Based on the…

NS Pharma launched an expanded access program (EAP) in the U.S. to allow certain Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients to gain access to its investigational exon-skipping therapy viltolarsen. The program will allow physicians to prescribe viltolarsen to U.S. DMD patients amenable to exon 53 skipping who meet other eligibility criteria, at…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is launching MDA Let’s Play, a platform to raise funding and awareness about muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders through gaming. “We’ve always been an iconic American charity with innovative fundraising programs to achieve our mission of transforming lives — from the telethon to…

Altering connexin 43 (Cx43) — a protein involved in heart function — in cardiac muscle cells protected against heart disease in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a study found. These results suggest targeting Cx43 may prevent heart disease in people with DMD. The study, “…