News

CureDuchenne partners on World of Warcraft research fundraiser

CureDuchenne is partnering with Blizzard Entertainment, maker of the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, on a fundraiser to help advance research into new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Through Jan. 7, players of the video game will have the opportunity to adopt an in-game pet…

FDA awards LAMA2-CMD therapy MDL-101 orphan drug status

MDL-101, Modalis Therapeutics’ epigenetic editing therapy for LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD), has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation is intended to encourage the development of therapies for serious or life-threatening rare diseases, which are those affecting fewer than…

EMA agency continues to oppose renewing Translarna’s approval

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) — part of the European Medicines Agency — again maintained its recommendation not to renew conditional marketing authorization for Translarna (ataluren), a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) caused by nonsense mutations. The European Commission, which has final say…

RNA-based approach shows promise for DM1 in cell models

Treatment with antimiRs, an RNA-based therapy approach, was able to correct molecular defects in a cell model of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) — a form of muscular dystrophy — according to the results of a new study. The researchers called their work “a significant step forward,” and noted that…

Capricor now seeking FDA approval of DMD therapy deramiocel

Capricor Therapeutics has started its rolling submission seeking U.S. approval of deramiocel, a cell therapy candidate to treat cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the company announced. Rolling submission means that Capricor will be submitting parts of the process to…

Rare pediatric disease designation granted to LAMA2-CMD therapy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted rare pediatric disease designation to MDL-101, an epigenetic editing therapy that Modalis Therapeutics is developing for LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-CMD) — a genetic condition that’s characterized by muscle wasting evident at birth or shortly thereafter. This FDA status…