News

FDA gives priority review to oral givinostat in treating DMD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and given priority review to Italfarmaco Group’s application requesting that oral givinostat be approved to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Priority review, which shortens the consideration period to six months from 10, is given to therapies with…

FDA approves Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of BB-301 for OPMD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Benitec Biopharma to start a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of the investigational gene therapy BB-301 for swallowing difficulties associated with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Dosing is expected to start later this year, following the rollover of participants in…

Catalyst acquires North American rights to DMD therapy vamorolone

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals has entered a licensing agreement for the North American rights to vamorolone, a dissociative corticosteroid under review in the U.S. and Europe for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Under the deal, Catalyst will give vamorolone’s developer Santhera Pharmaceuticals an upfront cash payment of $75 million,…

Gene therapy SRP-9001, now Elevidys, OK’d for Duchenne MD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval to the gene therapy SRP-9001 (delandistrogene moxeparvovec) for children ages 4 to 5 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who can walk and have a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene. The treatment is now named Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl). “The approval…

Certain stem cells may offer benefits for DMD treatment: Early study

Stem cells derived from the amniotic membrane of pregnant women after childbirth “could provide therapeutic benefits” for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to researchers in Japan. These stem cells, known as human mesenchymal stromal cells, were able to delay DMD progression and preserve muscle function in a…