News

Exon 44-skipping therapy wins FDA’s breakthrough designation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough therapy status to NS-089/NCNP-02, NS Pharma’s candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) amenable to exon 44 skipping, the company announced. The designation is intended to speed up the development and review of therapies for serious or life-threatening…

Multiple factors affect CK-MM blood test for DMD

Various factors influenced the results of the creatine kinase-MM (CK-MM) blood test used to screen infants for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to a large study. Factors that affected CK-MM levels included age at blood sample collection, gestational age, birth weight, sex, ethnicity, and seasonal temperature, data showed. Newborn…

Arrowhead asking to open Phase 1/2a trial of ARO-DUX4 for FSHD

Arrowhead Therapeutics has asked for permission to launch a clinical trial of ARO-DUX4, an experimental RNA-based medicine for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) type 1, in New Zealand. The company’s application, filed with the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, will be reviewed by the Standing…

New cell models available to help advance DMD research

Synthetic biology company bit.bio has launched two new human muscle cell models to advance research into new treatment strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The two models, dubbed ioSkeletal Myocytes DMD Exon 44 Deletion, and ioSkeletal Myocytes DMD Exon 52 Deletion, are the eighth and ninth products that…

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…