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MDA 2025: Evrysdi consistent after 5-year SUNFISH follow-up

After five years of treatment with Evrysdi (risdiplam), people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) types 2 and 3 continue to see stabilization and improvement in measures of motor function. That’s according to new long-term data from the Phase 2/3 clinical trial SUNFISH (NCT02908685), sponsored by Roche, which…

MDA 2025: SMA kids maintaining Zolgensma benefits 10 years later

Children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) given the gene therapy Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) in infancy are maintaining motor milestones after up to a decade of follow-up, according to new long-term clinical trial data. “At their last assessment, … patients [given the now-approved dosage of Zolgensma] were able to…

MDA 2025: SMA gene therapy OAV101 shows acceptable safety

OAV101 IT, a version of the gene therapy Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) that’s administered into the spinal canal, can be safely given to people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who were previously treated with other SMA therapies, according to new data from a clinical trial. “No [adverse events] leading…

MDA 2025: Conference begins, marking another year of progress

The Muscular Dystrophy Association‘s (MDA) annual Clinical & Scientific Conference kicked off over the weekend, bringing together patients, caregivers, researchers, clinicians, academics, advocates, and industry leaders to discuss the latest in science and care related to a range of neuromuscular diseases. This year’s conference will bring together hundreds…

SMA adults recommend tailored patient-reported outcome measures

Adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) recommend individually tailored patient-reported outcome measures, or PROMs, to accurately gauge their lived experience, with a focus that goes beyond assessments of physical function to incorporate mental health, sexual function, sleep, and fatigue. “New or modified patient-reported outcome measures should be developed collaboratively…

DMTs may reduce risk of children’s bone fractures in SMA: Study

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may help lower the risk of children’s bone fractures among young patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study by U.S. researchers suggests. “Drug therapy led to a decrease in fracture occurrence,” the scientists wrote, noting that “patients on treatment had fewer fractures compared [with] pretreatment.”…

MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference starts on March 16

Note: This story has been updated March 6, 2025, to correct a quote from Mindy Henderson, MDA vice president of disability outreach and empowerment. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is once again hosting its annual gathering, the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. The 2025 event will take place…