News

A newly identified small molecule able to cross into the brain — named TEC-1 — significantly eased disease severity and prolonged survival in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study from Japan reported. TEC-1 was reported to work in ways similar to Genentech’s oral…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations and research programs to help people with rare diseases.  “The RareLaunch program is…

SRK-015, Scholar Rock’s muscle-targeted therapy, safely and effectively improved motor function in children and young adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3, six-month interim data from a Phase 2 trial show. These benefits were more pronounced with higher doses of SRK-015 and, not surprisingly, in those…

A newer imaging technique called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) — a type of muscle MRI — is able to identify small changes in muscle architecture, and may be useful in monitoring the effects of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatments like Spinraza (nusinersen) over time, a small study reported. DTI…

The Australian Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) has recommended that the costs of screening for mutations known to cause spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), cystic fibrosis (CF) and fragile X syndrome be open to reimbursement for couples planning or in the early stages of pregnancy. Its favorable…

England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has begun a review process to decide whether to include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 patients who are unable to walk unaided in the country’s conditional reimbursement program for Spinraza (nusinersen). This conditional reimbursement program is part of a…

Adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 have significantly lower levels of several molecules that help regulate actin, one of the major components of the cell’s cytoskeleton, according to a study. These findings, from blood and connective tissue cells, add to information from a previous study showing…

SRK-015, Scholar Rock’s muscle-targeted therapy, safely and effectively improved motor function in children and young adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3, six-month interim data from a Phase 2 trial show. These benefits were more pronounced with higher doses of SRK-015 and, not surprisingly, in…

A photo of a bespectacled young boy, his red baseball cap slightly askew as he  enjoys time outside, will be featured on the front cover of an upcoming calendar in the “Same But Different” contest to raise awareness about rare disorders. “A Lovely Day Out in Kew Gardens,”…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…