Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Amicus Therapeutics received two U.S. patents for ATB200, a unique recombinant (lab-made) human acid alpha-glucosidase (rhGAA) enzyme, and the biologic component of the company’s investigational Pompe disease therapy AT-GAA. One patent covers the composition of matter for rhGAA; the second, the methods for making ATB200. The patents expire in 2035…

The first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and effects of ACTUS-101, a potential one-time gene therapy for late-onset Pompe disease developed by Actus Therapeutics. The randomized, open-label trial (NCT03533673) is still recruiting for an estimated total of six participants.

Frequent inspiratory muscle training — a set of breathing exercises to strengthen the respiratory muscles making it easier to breathe — enhanced the breathing capacity of late-onset Pompe disease patients with insufficient respiratory function, a small pilot study has found. The study, “Safety and efficacy of short- and long-term…

Lower activity of the two lysosomal enzymes underlying Pompe and Fabry diseases — acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme (GAA) and alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) — is linked to dilated arteries in the brain, a preliminary study reports. The study, “Association of Low Lysosomal Enzymes Activity With Brain Arterial Dilatation,” was…

Long-term interruption of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) can lead to negative outcomes for late-onset Pompe disease patients, affecting their lung and exercise capacity as well as quality of life, a Swiss retrospective study shows. However, for most patients, resuming ERT can help restore the key clinical parameters that deteriorated during the pause…

Newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders, including Pompe disease, is much more likely to detect individuals at risk for late-onset disease, according to a four-fear analysis of data from a pilot newborn screening program. The study “The New York pilot newborn screening program for lysosomal storage diseases: Report of the…

Newborn screening seems better at identifying Pompe disease cases than a clinical examination, especially for classic infantile-onset Pompe disease, according to researchers. Their study, “Using Decision Analysis to Support Newborn Screening Policy Decisions: A Case Study for Pompe Disease,” was published in the journal Medical Decision Making Policy & Practice. Screening…

Patients with Pompe disease may develop structural changes in the basilar artery — an important artery that supplies oxygen to the brain — that may affect their risk for cerebrovascular complications, such as stroke. The study with that finding, “Decreased outlet angle of the superior cerebellar artery as indicator…

Interim results a from Phase 1/2 clinical trial support the therapeutic benefits of investigational therapy combination ATB200/AT2221 in patients with Pompe disease. Participants in the study showed improvements in motor and respiratory function. The therapy also resulted in a durable decrease of muscle damage biomarkers. These results will be presented…

Results of a Phase 4 clinical trial support the effectiveness of Lumizyme (4,000 liters recombinant human GAA) for 52 weeks in maintaining clinical stability in Pompe disease patients previously treated with the therapy’s 160-liter formulation, called Myozyme. The study, “Efficacy, safety profile, and immunogenicity of alglucosidase alfa…