News

Exicure recently discussed preclinical research data and the next steps in developing XCUR-FXN, its investigational antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), in a live webcast. After initiating investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies of XCUR-FXN in late 2020 — intended to support regulatory clearance of clinical…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is seeking individuals willing to share real-life experiences with rare diseases to speak at its upcoming virtual Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum. The interactive, patient-focused forum will be held online June 26-27. The deadline to apply for…

With backing from a petition that is now circulating online, the Friedrich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) will ask Reata Pharmaceuticals and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make omaveloxolone (RTA 408) available to people living with Friedrich’s ataxia (FA) — for whom no approved treatments currently exist.

Leriglitazone, an oral treatment candidate for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), is well-tolerated and can significantly prevent ataxia worsening and iron buildup in the brain, according to top-line data from a Phase 2 trial. The proof-of-concept study, called FRAMES (NCT03917225), also demonstrated that the therapy was able to improve a series…

Larimar Therapeutics completed dosing for its single-ascending dose (SAD) Phase 1 clinical trial of CTI-1601, a modified version of frataxin, in the treatment of Friedrich’s ataxia (FA), the company announced. A safety review committee cleared the trial to continue after evaluating preliminary blinded data from each of the…

PTC Therapeutics has launched a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate its investigational oral therapy vatiquinone (PTC743) in children and young adults with Frederich’s ataxia (FA). The international trial had experienced earlier delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Called MOVE-FA (NCT04577352), it is meant to…

To empower and equip members of the rare disease community to engage state leaders in matters of importance to patients and their families, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has launched an initiative across the U.S. Its goal is to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

After nearly one year of its use, omaveloxolone (RTA 408) significantly improved neurological function across several clinical measures in people with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), and was generally safe and well tolerated, according to results from the MOXIe Phase 2 trial.  These findings were published…

Leaders in the U.S. rare disease community came together recently for a webinar to present helpful information on how to start a nonprofit and patient registry. They shared about how their respective organizations came to be, as well as the benefits of creating patient registries and how they can help…