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.
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In a news release from late May 2021, biopharmaceutical company Timber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Timber") shared that all patients have been enrolled in the Phase 2b CONTROL trial. During the trial,…
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All Patients Enrolled in TMB-001 Trial for Congenital Ichthyosis
Could a specialized cancer vaccine actually improve patient outcomes? According to a news release from biotechnology company AIVITA Biomedical, Inc. ("AIVITA"), the answer could be "yes." Citing data from a…
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AV-GBM-1 Improves Survival in Glioblastoma
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Rare Pediatric Disease designation is a status granted by the FDA to drugs or biologics intended to treat rare diseases (affecting under 200,000 Americans) in patients aged 18 or younger.…
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JSP191 for SCID Granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation
Typically, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is associated with obesity, or a body mass index (BMI) over 30.0. As obesity rates have continued to increase globally, so have the incidences of…
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Bariatric Surgery Relieves IIH Symptoms
Previously, Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) was approved as a prescription treatment for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare and chronic liver disease. However, Market Screener reports that biopharmaceutical company…
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Ocaliva Contraindicated for PBC with Decompensated Cirrhosis
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At just four years old, Gabriel Spiro is facing his 3rd open-heart surgery. You see, Gabriel was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a rare and severe congenital heart…
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Family Needs Help After $10k for Boy’s HLHS Surgery Stolen
Prior to 2021, there were no FDA-approved treatments for patients with type 1 plasminogen deficiency, or hypoplasminogenemia. As a result, there was an urgent need to fill this unmet need…
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FDA Approves Ryplazim for Hypoplasminogenemia
In late May 2021, biopharmaceutical company PTC Therapeutics, Inc. ("PTC") shared that its therapy, PTC923, received Orphan Drug designation within both the United States and Europe. The treatment is designed…
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PTC923 for Hyperphenylalaninemia Granted Orphan Drug Status
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In a press release from late May 2021, biotechnology company CancerVAX, Inc. ("CancerVAX"), which works to develop targeted immunotherapy treatments, shared that it had entered into a sponsored research agreement…
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Research Program Formed to Develop Ewing Sarcoma Immunotherapy
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From June 5-8, 2021, the European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) held its 58th Annual Congress. Though the event was held virtually, the meeting still expanded…
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Iptacopan for IgAN Meets Phase 2 Trial Primary Endpoint
According to a June 11 press release from biotechnology company Equillium, Inc. ("Equillium"), positive topline data is now available from the Phase 1b EQUATE clinical trial. Within the clinical trial,…
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Positive Topline Data Available on Itolizumab for GvHD
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Currently, the European Hematology Association (EHA) Virtual Congress 2021 is going on from June 9 through 17, 2021. During the Congress, hematologists and other stakeholders will discuss clinical research and…
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New Safety and Tolerability Data Available on CAEL-101 for AL Amyloidosis
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Currently, the European Hematology Association (EHA) is holding its 2021 Virtual Congress through June 17, 2021. During the event, researchers are expounding on new insights and research within the hematological…
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New Data Available on Oxbryta for SCD
On June 8, 2021, pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Pfizer Inc. ("Pfizer") shared that its Pneumococcal 20-valent Conjugate Vaccine (PREVNAR 20) is now FDA-approved. The vaccine helps protect against 20 different…
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PREVNAR 20 for Multiple IPD Serotypes Now FDA-Approved
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In a news release from June 2, 2021, biopharmaceutical company Soleno Therapeutics, Inc. ("Soleno") shared an exciting update. The company's investigational treatment, DCCR (diazoxide choline) Extended-Release tablets, received Orphan Drug…
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DCCR Tablets for GSD1A Granted Orphan Drug Status
At one point in the past, researchers studied a patient with congenital heart disease (CHD) and came out with a potential cause: SORBS2 gene mutations. However, because the study sample was so…
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Study Links SORBS2 Gene with Congenital Heart Disease
In a news release from June 9, 2021, biotechnology company Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Vertex") shared that its therapy TRIKAFTA (elexacaftor/texacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) was approved for expanded use. Now, the treatment…
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TRIKAFTA Approved for Pediatric Patients with F508del-Mutated Cystic Fibrosis
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As of June 7, 2021, an injectable treatment is now available for patients aged 1 month+ with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The FDA recently approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz) for these patients. Previously,…
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Ultomiris Now FDA Approved for Pediatric Patients with PNH
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In early June 2021, SPG302, an investigational therapy for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA. According to ALS News Today, the treatment…
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SPG302 for ALS Receives Orphan Drug Designation
From June 2-5, 2021, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) held its EULAR 2021 Virtual Congress. During the event, participants discussed basic, translational, and clinical science within the…
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Secukinumab Effective for Treating JIA
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According to a recent news release from biopharmaceutical company Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Arena"), the company's investigational therapy, etrasimod, received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA. Currently, Arena is evaluating etrasimod…
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Etrasimod Granted Orphan Drug Status for EoE
For decades, it has been clear that diet plays a role in overall health. But can diet also play a role in whether or not you develop certain conditions -…
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Pro-Inflammatory Diet Increases Breast Cancer Risk
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is associated with a number of genetic mutations. In fact, the different mutations signify specific CMT subtypes, such as CMT1 or CMT3. According to Charcot-Marie-Tooth News,…
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MPZ Mutations in CMT1B Cause Milder Sensory Neuropathy
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For all the coffee lovers who drink as much coffee as I do each day, this one's for you. Recently, a press release from the Icahn School of Medicine at…
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High Caffeine Intake Can Triple Glaucoma Risk
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Have you ever heard of base editing? This relatively new technology within the field of genome editing offers the potential opportunity to treat a variety of genetic conditions. According to…
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Could Base Editing Treat SCD?