Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. is set to introduce the first gene transfer therapy for ambulatory patients diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), after the U.S. FDA granted accelerated approval to SRP-9001 (delandistrogene moxeparvovec). Branded Elevidys, the therapy marks Sarepta’s fourth approved treatment for DMD and the first to offer patients a one-time treatment option.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) reported the discovery of novel colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitors as potential candidates for the treatment of osteoporosis.
It has been previously demonstrated that in zebrafish, the activity of UXS1, a gene that encodes UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase 1, is essential for production and organization of skeletal extracellular matrix. Now, researchers from the University of Oslo and affiliated organizations have identified a novel pathogenic variant in UXS1.
Gene therapy developer Kate Therapeutics Inc. (KateTx), which is developing next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors that target skeletal and cardiac muscle, has unveiled $51 million series A round and a licensing deal with Astellas Pharma Inc.
CD38 is an enzyme with NAD-depleting and intracellular signaling activity expressed on the cell surface, in intracellular compartments and in mitochondria, and is linked to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Studies in CD38-deficient mice have revealed that these animals develop a type of collagen-induce arthritis (CIA) which suggests a link between CD38 and CIA pathogenesis.
Aria Pharmaceuticals Inc. has described C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2; MCP-1-R) modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis.