News

Pfizer has discontinued development of fordadistrogene movaparvovec, its investigational gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), after recent Phase 3 trial data indicated a failure to improve motor function in boys with the neuromuscular disease. Patients who have already received the gene therapy in the CIFFREO…

Duvyzat (givinostat), a newly approved treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), is now available in the U.S., according to an announcement from ITF Therapeutics, which will be selling the therapy. “Following the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approval of Duvyzat, our team has been focused on making…

Most children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) start experiencing notable issues with arm function and breathing ability before they lose the ability to walk, a new study reports. The findings have major implications for clinical trials testing treatments that aim to boost arm and/or lung function in DMD. Traditionally,…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light for Myogenica to start a clinical trial testing its stem cell therapy MyoPAXon in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD, the most common type of muscular dystrophy, is caused by mutations in the…

Satellos Bioscience is gearing up to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial of its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment SAT-3247. The company said it has submitted an application to authorities in Australia seeking permission to start the trial, which is expected to test the safety and pharmacological properties…

Treatment with the gene therapy BB-301 led to improved swallowing for the first person with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) to receive the treatment as part of an ongoing clinical trial, according to new interim data from BB-301’s developer Benitec Biopharma. “We are pleased to report continued positive…

One year of losmapimod taken twice a day improved or stabilized upper limb function and muscle strength in adults with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), according to an open-label pilot study. Blood and muscle tests also showed the therapy candidate successfully engaged with its intended target and had a…

A pair of identical twins with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) were found to have different deficits in social cognition that corresponded with differing patterns of brain tissue loss on MRI scans, a case report shows. Researchers believe the findings highlight that, while genetic factors can contribute to brain development,…

With the first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) now approved in the U.S. for most people with the disease, clinical trials are underway to better understand the safety and efficacy of the approved treatment, find strategies to expand its use, and develop the next generation of DMD…

Four experimental treatments — deramiocel, sevasemten, satralizumab, and tadalafil — all in clinical testing and all aiming to slow the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), were spotlighted in a session at last week’s Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) conference. In Duchenne MD, mutations lead to a…