Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Ionis Pharmaceuticals has launched a new grant program to fund novice researchers investigating transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, a group of conditions that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), also known as hereditary ATTR. “We are proud to establish the Janice Wiesman Young Investigator Grant program, an important initiative to…

People living with hereditary transthyretin (hATTR) amyloidosis — which includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) — report “profound” life changes due to their disease, particularly as it progresses and affects them physically, emotionally, and socially, a study based on patient interviews reported. These findings emphasize the need for better care…

Investigating how plasma from people with transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis affects heart cells from rats may help researchers predict future heart-related health events and deaths in these patients, a study suggests. The findings were published in Clinical Research in Cardiology, in the study “Impaired in vitro growth response…

AT-01, an imaging agent being developed by Attralus, can help to differentiate between transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis — which includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) — and other forms of amyloidosis, new clinical trial data indicate. The findings were presented in a poster, “Detection of Systemic AL…

PRX004, an investigational treatment by Prothena, can reduce the progression of nerve damage (neuropathy) and improve heart function in people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), which includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), according to results from a Phase 1 trial. “We are pleased to see evidence of both a slowing…

Onpattro (patisiran) results in sustained improvements in polyneuropathy, quality of life, and other symptoms among people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), while showing an acceptable safety profile, according to a one-year interim analysis from an open-label extension clinical trial. The study, “Long-term safety and efficacy…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations and research programs to help people with rare diseases.  “The RareLaunch program is…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…

CRX-1008, an investigational therapy also known as SOM0226 or tolcapone, is safe and well-tolerated by patients as a treatment for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), and can stabilize the TTR protein in the brain, new clinical trial data show. The findings provide a proof-of-concept for CRX-1008 as a treatment…

Using ultrasound to measure the size of the median nerve — which runs down the upper arm and continues into the forearm and hand — could be useful for the early diagnosis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a new study indicates. The study, “Nerve ultrasound…