News

Larimar to seek nomlabofusp’s accelerated approval this year

Larimar Therapeutics plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year to grant accelerated approval to nomlabofusp, its experimental treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). “The strong clinical and regulatory progress across our nomlabofusp program reinforces the timing of our planned Biologics License Application (BLA)…

MDA 2025: Experimental gene therapy boosts frataxin in primates

CAP-004, Capsida Biotherapeutics’ experimental gene therapy for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), safely delivered its genetic cargo to key disease-related tissues in nonhuman primates, new research shows. Specifically, that cargo was delivered to the heart, sensory nerves, and the central nervous system, or CNS, which comprises the brain and spinal…

Friedreich’s ataxia treatment Skyclarys approved in Canada

Biogen’s Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) has been approved in Canada to treat people with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) ages 16 and older, becoming the first disease-modifying therapy for FA to receive regulatory clearance in the country. The therapy was approved under Health Canada’s priority review process, which accelerates the review timeline…

MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference starts on March 16

Note: This story has been updated March 6, 2025, to correct a quote from Mindy Henderson, MDA vice president of disability outreach and empowerment. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is once again hosting its annual gathering, the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. The 2025 event will take place…

Skyclarys helps to normalize heartbeat, stabilize rhythm: Study

Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) improves heart function in Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) by reducing abnormal heartbeats and stabilizing heart rhythm, a study in a mouse disease model of severe cardiomyopathy concluded. Data also revealed sex-specific disturbance in the heart’s electrical activity and responses to Skyclarys treatment in these mice. The study,…

Heart and brain abnormalities associated with 2 microRNAs

Two microRNAs (miRNAs) — tiny molecules that control the activity of genes — are associated with structural brain and heart damage in Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) patients, according to a study from Brazil. FA patients were found to have higher levels of one miRNA, and lower levels of…

Nomlabofusp dosing started for adolescents in Phase 1 study

Adolescents with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) are now being dosed with nomlabofusp as part of a placebo-controlled Phase 1 clinical study that’s testing Larimar Therapeutics‘ subcutaneous, or under-the-skin, injection therapy. Data from the Phase 1 study, and from other clinical testing of nomlabofusp, are expected by the middle…