In recognition of Rare Disease Day Feb. 29, Bionews Services launched a social media campaign last month asking patients to describe what makes them rare. Running Feb. 7–29, the #WhatMakesMeRare campaign was aimed at uplifting people with rare diseases by encouraging them to share their stories and perspectives. The…
Beginning on Feb. 29, Rare Disease Day, chapters from notable scientific books and clinical review articles covering rare disorders will be available free-of-charge from Elsevier. The offer runs through April 30, and aims to supports work by researchers and clinicians into a better understanding of and treatments for rare diseases, as well…
High activity levels of the UBE3A gene in immune cells is linked to poorer fine motor and language skills in people with Angelman syndrome (AS) and more severe autistic features in those with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a study reported. According to its researchers, these findings suggest that inflammatory cascades and changes…
Starting a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit isn’t easy, but the National Organization for Rare Disorders gave a few tips for those  looking to begin the complex process in its Feb. 20 webinar. William Whitman…
Scientists have created a new rat model of Angelman syndrome (AS) that best mirrors the most common genetic cause of the disease and demonstrates many of its symptoms, including motor deficits, and learning and memory problems. The new model will likely offer a better tool for discovering and…
An abundance of events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2020 on Feb. 29. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…
GeneTx Biotherapeutics has received institutional review board approval to start a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of GTX-102, its investigational therapy for the treatment of Angelman syndrome. While Rush University Medical Center in…
A conceptual model describing how Angelman syndrome (AS) tends to manifest and affect a person with Angelman and those around them was described in a recent study. The model and its often age-specific points could be useful in guiding care for Angelman, as well as in designing trials and…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a vast government bureaucracy, employs about 17,500 people and had a budget of $5.7 billion in 2019. Yet even with its enormous resources, the FDA these days relies more and more on patients to…
The gleaming new Dutch headquarters of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), fronting Domenico Scarlattilaan in Amsterdam’s suburban Zuidas business district, finally opened for business last month — just over two years after the European Union decided to relocate the EMA to the Netherlands in the wake of Brexit.
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