News

FDA grants priority review to deramiocel for DMD heart disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Capricor Therapeutics’ application seeking approval of deramiocel — a  cell therapy developed by the biotech company to treat heart muscle disease in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — and granted it priority review that will speed the agency’s…

MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference starts on March 16

Note: This story has been updated March 6, 2025, to correct a quote from Mindy Henderson, MDA vice president of disability outreach and empowerment. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is once again hosting its annual gathering, the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. The 2025 event will take place…

Early preventive heart treatment extends survival in DMD: Study

Preventive treatment with standard heart medications — when given before the onset of cardiac troubles — extends survival among males with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to data from the U.S.-based Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance, Tracking and Research Network, known as MD STARnet. However, despite finding such benefits with prophylactic,…

Phase 1 trial of SAT-3247 finishes enrolling healthy volunteers

A Phase 1 clinical trial testing SAT-3247, an oral treatment candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is now done enrolling healthy volunteers, its developer Satellos Bioscience announced. “The completion of healthy volunteer enrollment in our Phase 1 trial marks a significant milestone in our mission to develop transformative…

World of Warcraft event raises $2M to support DMD research, care

A fundraiser through the online role-playing game World of Warcraft has raised more than $2 million to support CureDuchenne, an organization dedicated to combating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The fundraiser, which launched last year in partnership with Warcraft’s maker Blizzard Entertainment, is the largest contribution from a…

Phase 2 trial shows DMD treatment ifetroban boosts heart function

Treatment with oral therapy ifetroban led to improvements in measures of heart function in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to top-line results from a clinical trial. The “impressive results” are a “pivotal moment” for developer Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, “and, more importantly, for the DMD community,” A.J. Kazimi,…