Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a rare, progressive muscle disease characterized by chronic muscle inflammation and weakness. It is estimated that approximately 20,000 people in the United States (US) have IBM, though the exact prevalence is unknown. IBM usually develops after age 50 and is more likely to affect men than women. The disease progresses . . .
On April 14, Edgewise Therapeutics announced the initiation of an Edgewise-funded observational trial in individuals with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). The goal of trial is to understand the progression of disease in individuals with BMD as assessed by functional measures and imaging endpoints. BMD is a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the dystrophin . . .
Drug companies are developing more therapies for rare disease patients — and doing it faster — than ever before. But when it comes to enrolling minorities in clinical trials, the US track record is lagging behind. That subject was the focus of a March 15 session during the 2022 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference in . . .
On April 5, an international research team, headed by Michela Guglieri at Newcastle University and Robert Griggs at the University of Rochester Medical Center, announced positive results at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN meeting) in Seattle, WA from the phase 3 FOR DMD study of corticosteroid dosing regimens for treatment of people with Duchenne . . .
Researchers at Goldsmiths University of London are seeking people living with muscular dystrophy (MD) and their primary caregivers to participate in a survey about their quality of life. The aim of the survey is to better understand how quality of life of an individual and their primary caregiver is affected by progressing MD. In this study, . . .
Researchers at Alexion Pharmaceuticals are seeking adults living with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) to participate in a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and pharmacological properties of the investigational drug ALXN2050. ALXN2050 is designed to target a component of the immune system (known as complement), which underlies many autoimmune disorders including gMG. People . . .
Researchers at Alexion Pharmaceuticals are seeking adults living with dermatomyositis to participate in a phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and pharmacological properties of the investigational drug ravulizumab (Ultomiris). Ravulizumab is designed to target a component of the immune system (known as complement), which underlies many autoimmune disorders including dermatomyositis. Treatment with ravulizumab . . .
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a type of muscular dystrophy that affects about 1 in 8,000 people worldwide. The disease is known by several names, including Steinert disease, after the doctor that first described it, and “DM” in reference to its Greek name, dystrophia myotonica. Similar to other forms of muscular dystrophy, DM is characterized by . . .
Today was the second full day of sessions of 2022 MDA’s Clinical & Scientific Conference. The three major themes of today’s sessions were (1) therapeutic strategies to treat NMDs, (2) clinical trial design and implementation, and (3) optimizing patient care. Highlights Mitochondrial interventions: small molecule and gene therapy Carlos Moraes, PhD, from the University of . . .
Today was the first full day of sessions of MDA’s 2022 Clinical & Scientific Conference. For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians, scientists, policymakers, nonprofit, and industry leaders are convening, primarily in-person, for a dynamic and informative five days in Nashville, TN. With more than 975 in-person and 490 virtual . . .
