Researchers at Alexion Pharmaceuticals are looking for children with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) to participate in an open-label Phase 3 study. The goal of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of eculizumab (Soliris) in pediatric patients. This therapy may improve muscle strength by reducing inflammation caused by the immune system. All participants . . .
Researchers at Biogen are looking for participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in the VALOR Phase 3 study designed to help researchers evaluate the effects of BIIB067 on disease progression in patients with ALS caused by superoxide disumtase 1 (SOD1) mutation (SOD1-ALS). In ALS, motor neurons degenerate or die and stop sending messages . . .
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovac-xioi), the first gene therapy for a neuromuscular disease. Zolgensma is a one-time intravenous (into the vein) infusion for the treatment of pediatric patients less than 2 years of age with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with bi-allelic mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, . . .
Earlier this week, JAMA Neurology published an article co-authored by Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) staff members that addresses the role of newborn screening (NBS) in the field of neuromuscular disease. In the article, “Maximizing the Benefit of Life-Saving Treatments for Pompe Disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Through Newborn Screening: Essential Steps,” the . . .
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neuromuscular degenerative disease that causes rapid muscular atrophy. It progresses quickly, and patients need access to all available support as soon as possible. Currently, all ALS patients must wait five months before they can access Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Because of the fast-moving nature of this disease, . . .
It’s a hard fact that only three medications have been approved to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in nearly 25 years. Fortunately, research in ALS has exploded in the past decade, and new technologies have enabled the development of gene-targeting therapies such as gene replacement, gene silencing, and gene editing. MDA has always been committed . . .
At MDA, we believe in the power of research and the importance of building relationships among families, clinicians, and the scientists making discoveries to advance treatments and therapies. We invite individuals living with a neuromuscular disease, as well as caregivers and loved ones, to attend MDA Engage symposia taking place across the country. MDA Engage . . .
On May 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Ruzurgi (amifampridine) for the treatment of children with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) who are between 6 and 17 years of age. This is the second FDA-approved treatment for LEMS and the first approved treatment for pediatric LEMS patients. Ruzurgi is an oral potassium . . .
At MDA, we believe in the power of research and the importance of building relationships among families, clinicians, and the scientists making discoveries to advance treatments and therapies. We invite individuals living with a neuromuscular disease, as well as caregivers and loved ones, to attend MDA Engage symposia taking place across the country. MDA Engage . . .
We are pleased to announce that on May 1, 2019, the American Society for Gene and Cell Therapy awarded MDA the Sonia Skarlatos Public Service Award for 2019. Named for its inaugural co-recipient and tireless gene therapy advocate, the ASGCT’s Sonia Skarlatos Public Service Award recognizes a person or group that has consistently fostered and . . .
