Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Novartis Wraps Zolgensma Price, Availability Negotiations in Canada

Novartis has completed negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) regarding pricing and availability of Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec), its approved gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), for pediatric patients. With this negotiation completed, individual public drug plans in Canada will now make final decisions about the coverage…

Newborn Screening Pilot for SMA in Belgium Grows Into Official Program

A pilot newborn screening (NBS) program for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) that started in Liège province has transitioned into an official, government-run program spanning Southern Belgium. Its architects described their experience, highlighting concepts that may be useful for creating similar programs, as well as problems that arose and how they…

SMA Caused by Mutation in ASAH1 Gene Reported in Romania

The first-ever case of someone in Romania with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) caused by a mutation in the ASAH1 gene was described in a recent report. The study, “Clinical features and genetics in non-5q spinal muscular atrophy caused by acid ceramidase deficiency,” was published in the …

FDA Lifts Hold on Clinical Trials of Intrathecal OAV-101

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted its partial hold on clinical trials of OAV-101 (AVXS-101), an investigational intrathecal gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The agency put a hold on the open-label clinical trial STRONG in 2019, citing concerns seen in…

SMA Treatment May Be More Effective by Altering Underlying Molecule

Biochemical modifications made to antisense oligonucleotides — molecules that are the basis of an existing therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — may improve this and similar treatments, new research suggests. More work, which is underway, is needed as the biochemical changes seen to possibly offer an advantage were more…