News

From a Zoom book discussion to candle lightings, efforts to mark Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, observed each August, are underway to increase awareness of this rare genetic disease and raise funds to battle it. Supporters are involved in a range of activities that including swapping out their social…

To better understand and address barriers to the implementation of newborn screening across Canada for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) has awarded more than $700,000 to projects in three provinces. This is the first round of awards to come from a collaboration between MDC…

Spinraza (nusinersen), a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) that helps improve motor function, was found to also improve lung function in a 10-year-old girl with advanced SMA type 2, a case report says. The report, “Nusinersen improved respiratory function in spinal muscular atrophy type 2,”…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is applauding the Biden administration for announcing a rule to protect consumers from surprise medical billing, in a joint statement with 26 other U.S. patient organizations. The interim final rule will implement patient protections required by the No Surprises Act. Surprise…

Novartis is stopping the clinical development of branaplam (LMI070), its experimental oral treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. According to the company’s announcement, this “difficult” decision was based on the “rapid advancements in the SMA treatment landscape in recent years,” and…

A series of toxicology studies in rats and macaque monkeys confirmed the safety and tolerability of apitegromab, an investigational spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) therapy, supporting its ongoing assessment in patient trials, a study reported. The study, “Preclinical Safety Assessment and Toxicokinetics of Apitegromab, an Antibody Targeting…

SadBaby, an organization that raises donations to support children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is launching a crowdfunding platform. The project, based on digital currency donations, intends to gather funds from supporters and investors to help families financially with the costly treatments associated with SMA. “SadBaby is doing…

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, a specialty and home delivery pharmacy, is partnering with TailorMed, a healthcare technology company, to help lower out-of-pocket prescription costs for specialty pharmacy patients. Medications attained through specialty pharmacies are those used to treat rare and chronic conditions in the U.S., and are often extremely costly. For…

A wearable cybernetic leg significantly improved the gait and ability to perform walking exercises of people with neuromuscular disorders, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), as compared to a conventional hoist, according to a recent clinical trial. The trial’s results were published in an article, titled “…

Two mutations in the VRK1 gene were found in two unrelated Hispanic adults, with symptoms suggestive of an atypical form of adult-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), according to a case report. While VRK1 mutations are mainly associated with pediatric-onset neuromuscular conditions marked by brain abnormalities and cognitive problems, these new cases…