Jessica Lynn has an educational background in writing and marketing. She firmly believes in the power of writing in amplifying voices, and looks forward to doing so for the rare disease community.
In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved DAXXIFY® (DaxibotulinumtoxinA-lanm) for the temporary treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. Many people touted DAXXIFY as a "Botox alternative."…
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DAXXIFY Now FDA-Approved for the Treatment of Cervical Dystonia
In June 2023, Michael, a 35-year-old man from Houston, started feeling ill and achy. By June 19, his symptoms had worsened significantly. Both Michael and his family believed that he…
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Man Contracts Rare Infectious Disease—Typhus—After Flea Bite
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When Adrienne Vollmer first learned that her son Graham had spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), she was shocked. At the time, there were no FDA-approved treatments (three now exist). The life…
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SMA Awareness Walk in Indiana Helped Raise Needed Funds
At one point, Adam Isaac thought that he might become a professional golfer. But, sidelined from injury, he poured his heart and soul into music. His efforts played off;…
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UK The Voice Star Adam Isaac Receives Kidney Transplant from Friend Following IgAN Diagnosis
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NS Pharma, Inc., a subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku Co., recently announced via news release that its therapy NS-089/NCNP-02 was granted Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug…
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NS-089/NCNP-02 Nabs Orphan Drug Designation for DMD
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Prior to launching a clinical trial, the FDA must clear an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. This allows the drug to be distributed across state lines, which is important…
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FDA Clears Clinical Study to Evaluate BB-301 for Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
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Even with available therapies, pancreatic cancer is incredibly tough to treat and comes with a poor prognosis. Only 12% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are still alive after…
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Elraglusib Earns Orphan Drug Status for Pancreatic Cancer
In a late July 2023 news release, global healthcare company Grifols shared that positive topline data was now available from a Phase 4 clinical study evaluating XEMBIFY (immune globulin…
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Positive Data Available from Phase 4 Trial for Primary Immunodeficiencies
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Between 2019 and 2020, the number of reported Hansen’s disease (leprosy) cases across the United States fell. However, there have been an uptick of cases since 2020, especially in…
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Could Hansen’s Disease Become Endemic in Florida?
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For as long as she can remember, eighth-grader Ella Bork has held a keen knowledge of rare diseases, especially Alagille syndrome. Her mother, Cher, is actually the Executive Director of…
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Eighth Grader Ella Has Raised $5K for Alagille Syndrome Research and Support
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65 roses. This phrase is often used in reference to cystic fibrosis; in fact, the origin of 65 roses is a young boy who couldn’t properly pronounce the name…
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“Make That Geezer Get Those Tattoos:” A Cystic Fibrosis Fundraising Mission May Result in 65 Tattoos
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Each year, there are less than 600 new cases of papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP) diagnosed within the United States. While PCP typically has a good prognosis with treatment, treatment is…
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Could Melanoma Drugs be Effective in Treating Papillary Craniopharyngioma (PCP)?
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First established by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) in 2016, Gastroparesis Awareness Month is designed to increase awareness of gastroparesis and how it affects the people who…
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August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month!
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Debbie Ferlito had always lived an active life. There was nothing she loved more than throwing herself into athletics, than testing the limits of her body. And she was…
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Her Balance Issues Eventually Led to Her RFC1 CANVAS Diagnosis
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In early June 2023, a Kansas City Royals’ right-hand pitcher (RHP) named Josh Staumont was placed on the injured list (IL) due to a neck strain. While he was…
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Royals’ Josh Staumont on Will Undergo Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Surgery
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A Phase 2 clinical study set out to determine whether prexigebersen, alongside decitabine and venetoclax, would be effective in treating and stopping the progression of a rare cancer of…
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An Interim Data Highlights the Potential Benefits of Prexigebersen for AML
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In 2020, the Denver Broncos drafted wide receiver K.J. Hamler. Thus far in his career, Hamler has registered 42 receptions, 620 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns, and 24 receiving first…
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Denver Broncos’ WR KJ Hamler Shares Pericarditis Diagnosis
At five years old, Traviana Dunston has cultivated a deep love and appreciation for music and dance. She’s an entertainer at heart: full of energy and light. Right now, Traviana…
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Mom Raises Awareness After Daughter’s DIPG Diagnosis
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Orphan drug designation was first introduced to the European Union in 2000. The designation is granted to therapies intended to treat, diagnose, or prevent a rare, life-threatening, or chronically…
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Taldefgrobep Alfa Earns EU Orphan Drug Status for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
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Have you ever heard of Orphan Drug designation? This special status was created to incentivize the development of therapies for people with rare conditions (affecting fewer than 200,000 people…
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TYRA-300 Snags Orphan Drug Designation for Achondroplasia
It can be difficult to grasp the scope of a rare disease, its symptoms, and impact—especially if certain individuals don’t fall within the understood or narrowly defined parameters of…
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ICYMI: Updated Diagnostic Criteria Available for Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS)
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In a Phase 1 clinical study, researchers wanted to understand whether ALTB-268, developed by clinical-stage biotechnology company AltruBio Inc., could be effective in treating ulcerative colitis. The study first…
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Positive Topline Data Available on ALTB-268 for Ulcerative Colitis
Hudson Reynolds learned about rare disease when his sister Tia was diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is an inborn error of metabolism which causes phenylalanine, an amino acid, to build…
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Teen Climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro to Raise PKU Awareness
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Technology is everywhere, pervasive in our day-to-day lives. We get our news from technology, work using technology, and connect with our community via technology. Advances in this field are also…
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“Tech Neck:” How Too Much Screen Time Can Cause Thoracic Outlet syndrome (TOS)
Earlier this year, the FDA granted Accelerated Approval to ELEVIDYS (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl) for the treatmnt of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in boys aged 4-5. While this is a stunning…
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SAT-3153 Earns Orphan Drug Designation for DMD