Five Questions with Researcher Matthew Disney Matthew Disney, a professor at the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla., was awarded an MDA research grant totaling $300,000 over a period of three years to optimize two novel drug-like compounds — one that targets toxic RNA in myotonic dystrophy and another that targets toxic RNA in ALS . . .
For most, a trip to Target is just a way to cross off another item on a lengthy to-do list, or a quasi-addictive way to reduce stress via retail therapy. For 14-year-old Ethan Pyles and his mother, Sandra, a trip to Target brought renewed hope, grateful hearts, and optimism for thousands of boys who have . . .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted Biogen’s New Drug Application for nusinersen (brand name Spinraza) for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and granted Priority Review. Priority Review status is reserved for drugs that offer significant improvements over existing options or provide a treatment for a disorder for which no approved . . .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August accepted Marathon Pharmaceuticals’ New Drug Application for deflazacort for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and granted Priority Review. A decision on deflazacort, which previously has received Fast Track status, Orphan Drug designation and Rare Pediatric Disease status from the FDA, is anticipated in February . . .
MDA and RYR-1 Foundation have announced a partnership aimed at advancing research and clinical care, raising awareness and improving education of patients, medical professionals and the public about RYR1-related myopathies. The partnership represents a key step in MDA’s commitment to form collaborative relationships with other organizations working on the same diseases MDA covers. “MDA is . . .
Today we couldn’t be happier as, together with the Duchenne community, we celebrate FDA accelerated approval of eteplirsen to treat kids and adults with some forms of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). “This is something that we’ve watched, and hoped and prayed for, and seen it develop over the last seven years or so,” said Josh . . .
Henry Houlden, professor of neurology at the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, University College London Institute of Neurology in England, was awarded an MDA research grant totaling $288,151 over three years to elucidate the genetic causes of severe forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and other types of early-onset neuropathy. Identification of the causative genes could . . .
Rachelle Crosbie-Watson, professor and vice-chair of graduate education at the University of California Los Angeles, was awarded an MDA research grant this summer totaling $300,000 over a period of three years to test new therapies for cardiomyopathy (heart muscle weakness) associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Can you tell us a little bit about your . . .
Since its inception, MDA has invested more than $1 billion in neuromuscular disease research to uncover new treatments and cures. In 2016 alone, MDA awarded 66 new research, development and research infrastructure grants with a total funding commitment of more than $17 million. These and other MDA grants fund research projects designed to uncover the . . .
This summer MDA challenged our families, friends, sponsors, staff and others around the nation to share their stories about living life without limits despite the challenges of neuromuscular disease. Some shared moments tied to pursuing an education or career that was thought to be out of reach. Some talked about skydiving, hiking or running a . . .
