Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Capricor Therapeutics is expanding its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and cardiac therapy programs using cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) by adding seven new patent applications related to the technology. The new applications were from Capricor’s existing exclusive license agreements with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and are aimed at expanding Capricor’s cellular and…

Scientists at King’s College London, UK discovered that the PAX7 gene and its regulatory gene network is a new hallmark of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Moreover, PAX7 works better as a biomarker for the disease than the current leading candidate gene…

Researchers have found that lowering the the levels of a protein called sarcolipin lessens muscle weakness and improves skeletal and cardiac muscle function in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). These findings suggest that therapeutics targeting sarcolipin may have significant benefits to DMD patients. The study “Reducing sarcolipin expression…

Solid Biosciences announced the pending start of a first clinical trial to test the company’s leading investigational therapy – called SGT-001, a microdystrophin gene transfer candidate, as a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Phase 1/2 trial, called IGNITE DMD, will soon open for patient enrollment in the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken a step that will allow Sarepta Therapeutics to start clinical trials of its Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy SRP-5051. That move was accepting the company’s Investigational New Drug application for SRP-5051. The therapy, known as a peptide phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer, is designed to…

Respiratory activity is significantly impaired in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but a new mouse study suggests that enhancing breathing via the brain may improve respiratory capacity. The study “Sensorimotor control of breathing in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy” was published in The Journal of Physiology. Respiratory failure…

The newly approved Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy Exondys 51 (eteplirsen) stays in immune cells several days after leaving the blood, continuing to help regenerate muscle fibers, according to a study in mice. Researchers at the Children’s National Health System in the Washington area said the findings on immune cells known as…

The biotechnology company Capricor Therapeutics recently presented data that support the use of its peripheral intravenous delivery method in the upcoming HOPE-2 clinical trial testing the investigational agent CAP-1002 as a potential therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The data were presented during a poster session at the Alliance…

Capricor Therapeutics recently shared an update of the company’s quarterly financial results and operational highlights, including positive results for the ongoing HOPE study with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. The Phase I/II HOPE study (NCT02485938) is assessing the safety and tolerability of investigational…

The investigational therapy MA-0211, also called MTB-1, a potential treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), was approved for a Phase I clinical trial, developer Mitobridge announced. The trial will evaluate the therapy’s safety and tolerability and determine its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profile, or its behavior in the body and mechanism…