The Portuguese Medicine Regulatory Authority, known as Infarmed, has added Tegsedi (inotersen) — an approved treatment for stage 1 or 2 polyneuropathy in adults with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) — to the list of reimbursed medications for patients living in Portugal. Tegsedi now will be the…
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic won’t have much of an impact on cash available for new biotech startups, it has begun to cause delays in the development of gene therapies to treat a variety of rare diseases. That’s the consensus of industry experts who spoke in a May 26 webinar…
Treatment with Onpattro (patisiran) improves multiple aspects of quality of life in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), findings from a Phase 3 clinical trial show. The rapid deterioration seen in participants given a placebo illustrate the importance of starting FAP treatment as early as possible, scientists say.
European authorities must step up efforts to screen babies for a multitude of genetic disorders, a panel of experts suggested during a May 14-15 online medical conference. The session was part of the 10th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD2020) — which was to have occurred…
Dara Riva always had a rule that her 10-year-old son could play video games only once a week. But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and her perspective changed. Riva’s son, Maximilian, has cystic fibrosis (CF), making him particularly susceptible to COVID-19 and the complications that can arise from it.
Spain’s Ministry of Health has added Tegsedi (inotersen), an injection treatment for stage 1 or 2 polyneuropathy in adults with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), to the national list of prescription medicines that patients are reimbursed for using. With this decision, Tegsedi will be the first at-home…
Eurordis, a Paris-based coalition of national rare disease associations across Europe, hosted its first all-virtual conference, bringing some 1,500 delegates from 57 countries together online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD2020) — which was set for May 14–15 in…
The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) has opened an online survey to better understand how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting people with rare diseases, their families, and caregivers. Survey questions cover a patient’s physical and mental health, supply of treatments, and access to healthcare, among other…
A type of surgery that involves removal of the eye’s “gel” can improve vision in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a new study suggests. However, subsequent surgeries often are necessary to preserve vision, highlighting the need for close follow-up after surgery. The study, “Small gauge…
FFF Enterprises and Bionews announced today that both rare and orphan disease advocates are joining forces to provide patients with resources to help them connect as a community and continue to manage their health during this time when many are finding themselves alone. Recognized as the nation’s leading supplier of…