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

Onpattro Prevents Function Decline, Boosts Life Quality in Phase 3 Study

Onpattro (patisiran), a widely approved treatment for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), preserved functional ability and improved life quality for people with a related form of heart disease called transthyretin-mediated (ATTR) amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. That’s according to top-line results from the Phase 3 APOLLO-B clinical trial, which tested the…

Orsini Chosen for Distribution of Approved FAP Treatment Amvuttra

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has selected Orsini Specialty Pharmacy to distribute Amvuttra (vutrisiran), which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). “We are honored to work with Alnylam in providing access to this important treatment option or medication for…

Gene-editing Therapy NTLA-2001 Found to Reduce TTR Protein Levels

A one-time treatment with NTLA-2001, Intellia Therapeutics’ experimental gene-editing therapy for people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and other types of ATTR amyloidosis, continued to demonstrate reduced levels of the disease-driving transthyretin (TTR) protein for at least six months, new data show. “Based on the interim data shared today,…

9 Cases of Onpattro Used to Ease FAP Symptoms Described in Report

Several cases in which treatment with Onpattro (patisiran) was used to ease familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) symptoms were described in a recent report from Italy. The study, “Italian Real-Life Experience of Patients with Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Treated with Patisiran,” was published in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized…

Vutrisiran Approved by FDA to Treat FAP Under Brand Name Amvuttra

Vutrisiran — now known by the brand name Amvuttra — has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), also known as hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. The therapy is expected to be available for shipment to healthcare providers…

Europe Awaits Proposed New Framework for Sharing Health Data

The European Commission is expected to propose a new governing framework for health data next month, called the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with the aim of connecting national health systems to facilitate secure and efficient transfer of data across systems in different European nations. The move is expected to…

NTLA-2001 Gene Editing Trial to Include Patients With Heart Disease

A clinical trial of the gene-editing therapy NTLA-2001 in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is expanding to include those with a related condition, called ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), Intellia Therapeutics, which is developing the therapy, reported. FAP is a form of ATTR amyloidosis — a group of disorders…

Protego Raises $51M to Support Its Protein-misfolding Therapies

Protego Biopharma has raised $51 million to support the development of therapies for diseases caused by protein misfolding, such as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). The series A financing was co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, Vida Ventures, and MPM Capital. As part of the financing, representatives from these three…

Gene-editing Therapy NTLA-2001 Given Orphan Drug Status by FDA

Note: This story was updated Nov. 24, 2021 to clarify that NTLA-2001 works by disrupting the TTR gene to reduce transthyretin levels.   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given orphan drug designation to NTLA-2001, an investigational gene-editing therapy for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and other forms of…