News

Sanofi Genzyme‘s application requesting the approval of avalglucosidase alfa, an investigational enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for Pompe disease, was accepted and place under priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). An agency decision on this next-generation ERT is expected on May 18, 2021, Sanofi…

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…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations and research programs to help people with rare diseases. “The RareLaunch program is central to NORD’s mission and history — community…

Bayer reached an agreement to acquire Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), including its clinical program of ACT-101, an experimental one-time gene therapy for late-onset Pompe disease. AskBio, which will remain an independent entity, has a portfolio that comprises early and clinical stage gene therapies to treat neuromuscular,…

Scientists have created a new mouse model of Pompe disease that displays the severe respiratory impairments experienced by many patients but were never observed in other animal models of the disorder. Using this more stringent model, investigators also demonstrated the therapeutic potential of a new form of gene…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…