For spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with spinal deformities, administration of Spinraza (nusinersen) by a novel subcutaneous intrathecal catheter system improved upper limb function, a small study reports. This delivery technique, however, increased the risk of mechanical malfunction and infections, the researchers noted. The study, “…
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Global Genes has partnered with the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) to advance health equity for rare disease patients and caregivers in underrepresented communities of color. “For rare disease patients, there are many challenges — and for people of color with a rare disease, these challenges are compounded…
School-age children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in China experience a high rate of anxiety and depression, a questionnaire-based study suggests. “Professional psychological care [may be] included in the standard of care,” the researchers wrote, noting that a higher prevalence of depression was seen among students with…
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…
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…
The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) awarded $600,000 in grants to ease the disparities faced by rare disease patients of color. These Impact Rare Disease Solution grants will go five RDDC steering committee working groups, which aim to identify problems for rare disease communities and advocate for solutions. The five…
Ben Lou battles the weakness in his body that comes with having spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, but his mind is stronger than most: The 18-year-old was accepted to three of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. Lou is now in his first year at the Massachusetts Institute…
In a letter to a U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Committee, Cure SMA called for better wheelchair handling and storage for people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who travel by air. The patient advocacy organization shared its perspective on the challenges of airplane travel — from booking tickets to…
A crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $45,000 to support “Rare,” a documentary film featuring the struggles and achievements of people living with rare diseases and their families. Sweis Entertainment and Digital Cave Media launched the campaign — allowing filmmakers to finish producing and to release the documentary — on Kickstarter.
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) will not recommend reimbursement for Zolgensma in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who are more than 6 months old, citing insufficient evidence of efficacy and safety in older patients. “Other countries are providing guidance and funding based…
