News

FDA Meeting Likely to Lead to New Request for PRX-102 Approval

A recent type A meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is likely to lead Protalix Biotherapeutics to resubmit a request for approval of PRX-102 (pegunigalsidase alfa) to treat Fabry disease, after its initial application was rejected by the agency. “We are pleased with the results of the…

Global Genes, Diversity Coalition Team Up to Advance Health Equity

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…

Rare Disease Diversity Coalition Awards $600K to Combat Disparities

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…

‘Rare’ Documentary in Kickstarter Campaign to Raise $45K by Oct. 28

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.

New Data-sharing Program Aims to Speed Innovation in Rare Diseases

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…

Patients Can Improve Mindfulness With MPS Society Online Series

An eight-week, online mindfulness series for people with Fabry disease — aimed at relieving pain, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being — will open Sept. 29 and is currently enrolling participants. The Zoom series, which runs through Nov. 24, is presented by the MPS Society, which provides…

Fabry Identified in Central Asian Family for First Time

Two cases of Fabry disease, diagnosed decades after symptom onset, were identified for the first time in a Central Asian family, a case study reported. Further analysis revealed many affected family members, demonstrating the importance of examining the relatives of people diagnosed with Fabry, the…

Group Focuses on Rare Disease Clinical Trial Participation

Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…

AVR-RD-01 Gene Therapy Trial Now Open to Female Patients

Avrobio’s ongoing FAB-GT Phase 2 clinical trial, testing its experimental gene therapy AVR-RD-01 in adolescents and adults with Fabry disease, is now open to female patients. The protocol amendment, implemented in August, allows girls and women with Fabry to participate in the trial, even though their symptoms…