Joining a growing number of companies developing robotic devices for those living with mobility impairments, Ontario’s Trexo Robotics just launched the newest in its line of robotic walking aids specifically for children, the Trexo Home. Unlike the company’s Trexo Plus, a set of wearable robotic legs that attach to a walker for use in clinical . . .
This week, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed into law a bill, HB 1074, that requires the state to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to its newborn screening panel. SMA is the No. 1 genetic cause of death in infants, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 babies. MDA was proud to advocate for the addition of SMA . . .
Researchers at Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics are looking for participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in a Phase 3 study designed to help researchers evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stromal stem cells secreting neurotrophic factors (MSC-NTF cells) on disease progression in patients with ALS. In ALS, motor neurons degenerate or die, and stop sending . . .
Early identification and treatment for neuromuscular disorders are essential to optimize health outcomes. Newborn screening, which identifies health issues via a blood test taken soon after birth, is essential to ensure that infants born with serious but treatable disorders have the best possible chance at receiving the care and support services they need as early . . .
Researchers at Orphazyme are looking for participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in the ORARIALS-01 Phase 3 study. The study is designed to help researchers evaluate the effects of arimoclomol on disease progression in patients with ALS. In ALS, motor neurons degenerate or die and stop sending messages to the muscles, which gradually . . .
Researchers at Catabasis are looking for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to participate in a Phase 3 study (PolarisDMD). The goal of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of edasalonexent, which researchers believe may slow down progression of skeletal and cardiac muscle disease in DMD by inhibiting NF-kB. NF-kB is a . . .
We were saddened to end 2018 with the passing of one of the true champions of neuromuscular disease research, Dr. Stephen Katz, the long-time director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Dr. Katz led efforts throughout the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to implement the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance . . .
In January 2018, MDA partnered with Edge Research, an established research firm with extensive expertise working with patient advocacy organizations, to conduct an objective and thorough study among the neuromuscular disease community. This survey, a first-of-its-kind for MDA, was called ONEVoice and comprised 50 questions that sought to identify the needs of individuals and families . . .
Today, Wave Life Sciences announced that its Phase 1 trial of WVE-210201, an investigational, exon skipping therapy for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) amenable to exon 51 skipping, showed positive safety and tolerability data. Based on these results, Wave announced that it will initiate a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of WVE-210201 in 2019. Wave . . .
Today, Novartis, the parent company of AveXis Inc., announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) under Priority Review for Zolgensma (formerly known as AVXS-101), a gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. Priority Review status requires the FDA to review . . .
