Developing gene therapies for rare diseases is one thing. Creating gene-edited “designer babies” is quite another. German legal expert Timo Minssen outlined the potentially explosive ethical landmines surrounding such issues during a recent talk at the New York Genome Center. Minssen directs the Center for Advanced Studies in…
Most parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and adults with this disease — who took part in an interview study arranged and owned by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) — expressed “cautious optimism” about gene therapy as a potential DMD treatment, weighing potential benefits against risks and disease…
The nonprofit CureDuchenne has chosen veteran advocacy leader Erin Frey to become its first director of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) advancement efforts. In her official capacity as senior director of advocacy, Frey is charged with establishing relationships that promote CureDuchenne’s outreach, and connect Duchenne families and other…
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected Sarepta Therapeutic’s application seeking accelerated approval of golodirsen (SRP-4053) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients amenable to exon 53 skipping. Golodirsen (SRP-4053) was placed under priority review by the FDA in February 2019. The FDA’s complete response…
Fulcrum Therapeutics announced it has launched ReDUX4, a Phase 2b clinical trial designed to assess the safety and efficacy of losmapimod, an investigational treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) in patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of FSHD. The Phase 2b ReDUX4 trial (NCT04003974) is recruiting…
Imagine living your whole life with a painful disease so rare that only 25 others worldwide have what you have. And that you’re one of just six such people who’ve made it to adulthood. Neena Nizar doesn’t have to imagine. The 41-year-old English professor at Metro Community College in Elkhorn,…
An adverse event report was erroneously submitted for a patient enrolled in Study-102 testing Sarepta Therapeutics’ micro-dystrophin gene therapy, an experimental treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the company announced. The board in charge of the study’s safety found no reason to stop the trial. According to…
Jiffy Lube has launched its 8th annual Muscle Up! campaign, which supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Summer Camp program as well as research and family services. Throughout August, Jiffy Lube patrons at participating service centers nationwide are encouraged to donate at least $3 to…
The Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR), Virginia, has been named Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy’s (PPMD) 26th Certified Duchenne Care Center (CDCC). PPMD’s program, established in 2014, recognizes facilities with outstanding neuromuscular programs providing comprehensive care with recognized standards to all living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a multi-systemic…
On a recent summer morning off the coast of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, a dozen Israeli volunteers in wetsuits splashed in the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. But they weren’t there just for fun. The focus of their attention: three young boys gripping specially modified surfboards…
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