2021 was another challenging year for many, but once again, MDA’s grassroots advocates were relentless in ensuring lawmakers heard their voices. Throughout the year, our volunteers emailed, called, and met with important decision-makers urging them to act on vital public policy that will improve the lives of people living with neuromuscular disease and their families. . . .
On Aug. 6, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated marketing approval to avalglucosidase alfa (Nexviazyme) for the treatment of people 1 year of age and older living with late-onset Pompe disease. It is the second approved drug to treat Pompe disease. Nexviazyme will be made available in the US and marketed by Sanofi . . .
Researchers at Audentes Therapeutics, an Astellas company, are seeking individuals living with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) to participate in a phase 1/2 study to confirm safety and efficacy of the investigational drug AT845. This gene-replacement therapy may offer the benefit of long-term improvement of motor and respiratory function and quality of life in adults living with . . .
There’s no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year, but the commitment and passion of our MDA advocates have truly been a bright spot. As we close out the year, let’s recap your amazing accomplishments. Access to care and therapies from day one Thanks to the actions of advocates, together we made sure the lifesaving . . .
September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month, and today, Sept. 7, is World Duchenne Awareness Day, dedicated to spreading knowledge about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. As we honor both, we’re providing an update on our work to ensure every state in the US screens babies at birth for DMD, leading to improved outcomes and longer, stronger lives. . . .
Ryan Colburn is a rare disease patient with a professional background in engineering and operations management, spending portions of his career working on racecars, airplanes, and rockets. Diagnosed with Pompe disease in 2015, he has spent the time since learning about rare disease topics including research, advocacy, and drug development to better understand how to . . .
In April, MDA fielded a survey to ask its community how COVID-19 was impacting their lives. We heard your responses — anxiety, questions, hope — and wanted to know more. In this six-part blog series, Hacking COVID, people from MDA’s community, all living with neuromuscular diseases, shared how they’ve altered their day-to-day lives, how they’ve . . .
Several biotech and pharma companies presented interim results at the 24th Annual Congress of the World Muscle Society (WMS) held earlier this month in Copenhagen, Denmark. This roundup covers a few of these updates. Catabasis Pharmaceuticals presented positive results from its phase 1/2 MoveDMD trial and open-label extension with edasalonexent in boys with Duchenne muscular . . .
Researchers at Amicus Therapeutics are looking for participants (age 0-18) with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) to participate in a phase 3 study. The goal of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ATB200/AT2221, which researchers hope may improve muscle function and respiratory function compared to the standard of care. Participants will receive the . . .
Thanks in large part to the work of MDA advocates across the country, the US House unanimously moved yesterday to pass the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act (HR 2507). Once enacted, this law will reauthorize the national newborn screening program for five years and make additional investment in order to modernize and make improvements . . .
