A Genetic Lottery - a Column by Becky Field

Global Genes, Diversity Coalition Team Up to Advance Health Equity

Global Genes has partnered with the Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) to advance health equity for rare disease patients and caregivers in underrepresented communities of color. “For rare disease patients, there are many challenges — and for people of color with a rare disease, these challenges are compounded…

Rare Disease Diversity Coalition Awards $600K to Combat Disparities

The Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC) awarded $600,000 in grants to ease the disparities faced by rare disease patients of color. These Impact Rare Disease Solution grants will go five RDDC steering committee working groups, which aim to identify problems for rare disease communities and advocate for solutions. The five…

NeuExcell, Spark to Develop Neuroregenerative Gene Therapy

NeuExcell Therapeutics has entered into a research deal with Spark Therapeutics to advance the development of a safe and effective neuroregenerative gene therapy for Huntington’s disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Spark, a member of the Roche Group, will have access to NeuExcell’s gene therapy platform…

Dosing Starts in SELECT-HD Trial That Seeks to Lower mHTT Levels

A Phase 1/2 trial evaluating Wave Life Science’s investigational therapy WVE-003 for Huntington’s disease has started dosing patients, the company has announced. The SELECT-HD trial (NCT05032196), underway in clinical sites in Australia, Germany, Poland, and the U.K., is currently looking to enroll 36 Huntington’s patients, ages…

New Institute Aims to Leave No Rare Disease Patient Behind

A newly launched non-profit institute is seeking to advance research, and the development of new therapies, for people with rare diseases — a patient community with some of the largest therapeutic needs, but one that is often left behind. Named the Institute for Life Changing Medicines, the project was…

Abnormal DNA Repair Mechanism May Be Therapeutic Target

The interaction between FAN1 and MLH1 — two DNA repair proteins known to be genetic modifiers of Huntington’s disease — protects against further expansion of disease-causing CAG repeats, according to a study using human and mouse models of the disease. Specifically, this interaction prevents MLH1’s recruitment to a DNA…

Group Focuses on Rare Disease Clinical Trial Participation

Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…

Register Now for Global Genes’ RARE Patient Advocacy Summit

Registration is now open for Global Genes‘ 2021 RARE Patient Advocacy Summit. This year’s hybrid event will be livestreamed from California Sept. 27-29, and some seats also are available for attending the event in person in San Diego. “Here you’ll have the opportunity to connect and engage with others…