Sarepta Reports Data from Phase 2 Trial of Eteplirsen for Treatment of DMD

Background: Sarepta Therapeutics reported today additional long-term clinical efficacy and safety data from its pivotal phase 2b program of eteplirsen to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The data demonstrated that over a three-year period of time, trial participants who were treated with eteplirsen experienced a slower rate of decline and were, on average, able to . . .

Read More

Enrollment in Diaphragm Pacing Systems for People with ALS Halted

In September, the Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB), constituted to oversee the Diaphragm Pacing System in Participants with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (DPS in ALS) study, being conducted in the United States, issued a recommendation that new enrollment be halted. At the same time, the DSMB recommended that patients already randomized to the diaphragm pacing . . .

Read More

Sarepta Therapeutics Announces USPTO Decision in Patent Interference Case with BioMarin Pharmaceutical

– Importance of USPTO decision not ascertainable until determinations are rendered in two remaining composition interferences and planned appeal – CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep. 30, 2015– Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRPT), a developer of innovative RNA-targeted therapeutics, today announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has . . .

Read More

Five Questions with Researcher Criss Hartzell

Criss Hartzell, professor of cell biology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Ga., recently was awarded an MDA research grant to study the ANO5 gene. Mutations in the gene have been implicated in both type 2L limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and a subtype of Miyoshi distal muscular dystrophy (a type of distal muscular dystrophy, . . .

Read More

BioMarin Receives Favorable Ruling in the Use of Exon 51 Antisense Oligonucleotides Patent Interference

Priority of U.S. Patent Claims Confirmed by U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Sept. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq:BMRN) today announced that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) issued a decision in favor of BioMarin’s claims to the use of exon 51 antisense oligonucleotides to treat . . .

Read More

MDA and FARA Partner to Advance Treatments and Care for Friedreich’s Ataxia

Alliance is part of an MDA initiative to establish new collaborative partnerships CHICAGO, September 2, 2015 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) today announced a partnership that will pave the way for advancements in Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) research, therapeutic development and clinical care, thus deepening understanding of the . . .

Read More

$2 Million in New MDA Grants Target DMD

By Laura Hagerty, Ph.D., MDA’s DMD Scientific Program Officer On September 7, 2015, MDA will rally alongside our Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community — kids, adults, families, caregivers and others — as we recognize World Duchenne Awareness Day. And as we move toward that day, there’s a palpable feeling of excitement in the air. For . . .

Read More

MDA Appoints Leaders From Across the Country to Board of Directors

CHICAGO, August, 27, 2015 — Prominent business and community leaders from across the country have been appointed to the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Board of Directors. As members of the board, these 20 men and women will volunteer assistance and counsel to support MDA’s mission to fund lifesaving research, provide comprehensive care through its services and . . .

Read More