An annual decline in sensory nerve function — one greater than 25% — occurs as long as two years before the onset of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) in people carrying Val30Met, the most common disease-causing mutation in FAP, a study shows. Such drops in function, as measured by non-invasive…
The benefits of Vutrisiran in reducing neurologic impairment and overall disability, and improving the quality of life in adults with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) were sustained over 18 months, according to new data from the ongoing Phase 3 HELIOS-A trial. “These results build on the positive vutrisiran data…
A retrospective study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that healthcare costs for those with rare diseases have been underestimated, possibly being three to five times higher than for those without rare diseases. This study provides evidence of the potential effect rare diseases may have on public health…
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…
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…
Tegsedi (inotersen), an approved treatment for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), has received a Category 1 classification by the legal body tasked with economic regulation of medications in Brazil. Category 1 is given by Câmara de Regulação do Mercado de Medicamentos to innovative treatments that are more effective than…
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…
Onpattro (patisiran) is now reimbursed for patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) living across most regions of Canada, according to Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, the therapy’s developer. The announcement comes following a positive recommendation for reimbursement from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) and the Institut…
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.
A new U.S. initiative called Rare Disease Cures Accelerator–Data and Analytics Platform — dubbed RDCA–DAP — aims to accelerate treatment innovation across rare diseases by sharing existing patient data and promoting the standardization of new data collection. Launched during a virtual workshop in September, the U.S. Food and Drug…