News

International Epilepsy Day (IED), falling on Feb. 8 this year, calls attention to the needs of the roughly 50 million people globally who are affected by the brain disorder. “This is a day for everyone, no matter where you are, no matter how small your group or large your area,…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

By implementing a free-of-charge epilepsy genetic testing program, it is possible to lower the average age of molecular diagnosis of children with epileptic disorders caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene, such as Dravet syndrome, from more than 6 to less than 2 years of age. The study with…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

The use of TANGO antisense oligonucleotide-based technology, developed by Stoke Therapeutics, resulted in a dose-dependent increase in brain levels of the NaV1.1 protein that is deficient in Dravet syndrome, a mouse study has shown.  This technology can potentially treat the…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…

Fintepla has no substantial impact on growth, in terms of height and weight, in children with Dravet syndrome, clinical trial data suggest. The findings were shared at the 2020 American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting, in the presentation, “Treatment with Fintepla (fenluramine) in Patients with…

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…

After some 59 years, the chief drug policy-making entity of the United Nations (UN) has voted to remove cannabis from a listing of narcotics designated as potentially addictive and dangerous, and having little to no therapeutic use. The reclassification by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) opens the door to…

Tevard Biosciences and Zogenix announced entering a collaboration agreement to advance potential gene therapies for genetic epilepsies, including Dravet syndrome. “We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Zogenix, whose commitment to developing new treatments for Dravet syndrome and other genetic epilepsies is unparalleled,” Daniel Fischer, co-founder,…