Metabolic Diseases of Muscle

The Discretionary Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (DACHDNC) today voted to add Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency) to a list of diseases that it recommends states screen for in newborns.

Turning neuromuscular disease research into treatments as quickly and effectively as possible was the overarching theme of dozens of formal presentations, nearly 200 scientific posters, and countless informal conversations at the MDA Scientific Conference, April 21-24.

A palpable sense of excitement pervaded the sold-out event thanks to the unprecedented number of experimental treatments in clinical trials for neuromuscular diseases, and the unique opportunity the conference provided for information-sharing and collaboration among scientific professionals from many disciplines.

Proposals exploring the feasibility and advisability of implementating newborn screening for two disorders in MDA's program — Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease— were presented to a federal advisory committee in a "virtual" meeting Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2013.

Idebenone (under the brand name Catena) in July 2008 received conditional market approval in Canada for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia (FA). Now, based on additional data that fails to confirm that treatment with Catena is beneficial in FA, Santhera Pharmaceuticals has announced it will discontinue sales of the drug April 30, 2013.

The experimental drug AT2220 has shown benefit as an enhancer of enzyme replacement therapy for the metabolic muscle disorder Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency).

The drug, a pharmacological chaperone, is designed to:

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 44 new grants totaling $13.6 million to advance the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases. The new grants, most of which took effect Feb. 1, encompass a range of diseases covered by MDA’s research program, and they support innovative approaches to basic research and new drug development.

In addition to addressing 16 specific neuromuscular diseases under MDA’s umbrella, the grants also fund research into muscular dystrophy in general, and research into muscle physiology related to neuromuscular disease.

Edison Pharmaceuticals has launched a phase 2b clinical trial of its experimental drug EPI-743 in adults with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) to assess whether the drug has positive effects on visual function, neurological and neuromuscular function, and disease-associated biomarkers.

Biopharmaceutical company Amicus Therapeutics presented updated and encouraging results for its experimental Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency) compound AT2220 this week at the 17th International Congress of the World Muscle Society in Perth, Australia.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 33 new grants totaling $10,684,481 to fund research projects focused on uncovering the causes of, and developing therapies for, neuromuscular disease.

MDA's Board of Directors reviewed and approved the new grants based on recommendations from the Association's Scientific and Medical Advisory Committees, and the grants took effect Aug. 1.