News

New blood biomarkers better reflect motor performance in Becker MD

In people with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), both an elevated creatine-to-creatinine ratio and lower myostatin muscle protein levels in the bloodstream are associated with worse motor performance, a study reported. These two potential biomarkers predicted current functional abilities when combined with age but not disease progression over four years. Both…

FDA puts AOC 1044 on fast track as Duchenne therapy

AOC 1044, an investigational exon 44-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has been granted fast track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation is intended to accelerate the therapy’s development and expedite its approval by providing more frequent meetings with the FDA and discussions…

Potential Duchenne gene therapy RGX-202 on fast track

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to RGX-202, a one-time gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that is in early clinical trials. The FDA gives this designation to investigational treatments that have the potential to address unmet clinical care needs for…

Microdystrophin gene therapy can prevent heart damage in DMD mice

Microdystrophin gene therapy effectively maintained long-term heart function in a mouse model of severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a study has found. The treatment prevented scar formation and inflammation in heart tissue, and maintained normal heart function over 18 months. These findings support the ongoing clinical trials evaluating…