Muscular Dystrophy News and Research

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The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The disorders differ in terms of the distribution and extent of muscle weakness (some forms of MD also affect cardiac muscle), age of onset, rate of progression, and pattern of inheritance.

Muscular dystrophy: $1M grant for study of erectile dysfunction drugs in improving muscle blood flow

A Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute cardiologist has been awarded a three-year, nearly $1 million grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to study whether drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction could also be used to improve muscle blood flow and reduce fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients.

26 Mar 2010

Cardiologist receives grant to study impact of erectile dysfunction drugs on muscular dystrophy patients

25 Mar 2010

Americans to join in Purple Day campaign to support epilepsy awareness

Members of the U.S. House and Senate, children in schools across the country, and employees of workplaces nationwide will wear purple to support epilepsy awareness on March 26. Thousands of Americans will also join the campaign by hosting Purple Day activities in their regions.

22 Mar 2010

BeaconEquity.com: AVI BioPharma's revenues for fourth-quarter of 2009 are $5.1M

BeaconEquity.com announces an investment report featuring biotech company AVI BioPharma Inc. The report includes financial, comparative and investment analyses, and pertinent industry information you need to know to make an educated investment decision.

18 Mar 2010

Competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment: Myths and realities

Medicare has been touting the merits of the "competitive" bidding program for durable, or home medical equipment and services (HME) to convince Congress that the program is good for seniors. Unfortunately, proponents have conveyed misleading information and cherry-picked facts that exaggerate the benefits and ignore the severe shortcomings of the program.

18 Mar 2010

Grass-roots initiative raises more than $20 million to advance MDA's lifesaving mission

The spirit of St. Patrick's Day is alive and well. The Muscular Dystrophy Association today announced that, with 92 percent of some 10,000 retail locations reporting, its 2010 Shamrocks Against Dystrophy fundraiser is the most successful in the event's 27 year history.

18 Mar 2010

Reversal of aging in normal human cells

BioTime, Inc., a biotechnology company that develops and markets products in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine, today announced the publication of a scientific paper titled “Spontaneous Reversal of Developmental Aging in Normal Human Cells Following Transcriptional Reprogramming.”

17 Mar 2010

Blocking RhoA enzyme increases survival in SMA mouse model

Scientists from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa have identified a promising new approach for developing drugs to treat Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading inherited cause of death in infants and toddlers. Dr. Rashmi Kothary and his doctoral student Melissa Bowerman have found that an enzyme called RhoA is overly active in a mouse model of the disease and blocking this enzyme can greatly increase survival. The study is published in Human Molecular Genetics.

16 Mar 2010

'Molecular band-aid' may help protect hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have discovered a chemical that may, over the long term, protect the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients - a fatal and most common form of muscular dystrophy in children.

16 Mar 2010

Insmed posts net profit of $2.3M for fourth-quarter 2009

Insmed Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2009.

15 Mar 2010

New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to nemaline myopathy

New findings that shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to the development of the rare muscle-wasting disease, nemaline myopathy, are reported today (15 March) in the Biochemical Journal.

15 Mar 2010

Homecare advocates discuss the value and cost-effectiveness of home-based care

More than 250 providers of home medical equipment and services from across the U.S. met with members of Congress this week during the American Association for Homecare's Washington Legislative Conference.

6 Mar 2010

Phase 1 clinical study of ISIS-SOD1Rx in patients with Lou Gehrig's disease commenced

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a Phase 1 study of ISIS-SOD1Rx in patients with an inherited, aggressive form of Lou Gehrig's disease also known as familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

5 Mar 2010

CureDuchenne: Scientific advisors to come together to find cure for DMD

Today, CureDuchenne, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), announced that on March 19, 2010 the organization’s scientific advisors from around the country will come together in the fight to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

4 Mar 2010

Pioneering stem cell research could revolutionize treatments for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

A heart patient's own skin cells soon could be used to repair damaged cardiac tissue thanks to pioneering stem cell research of the University of Houston's newest biomedical scientist, Robert Schwartz.

3 Mar 2010

"Hope – It's In Our Genes" rare disease campaign slogan translated into multiple international languages and Braille

The Global Genes Project (www.globalgenesproject.org), today announced that its rare disease campaign slogan, "Hope – It's In Our Genes™," has been translated into multiple international languages and Braille by rare disease patient advocates and supporters from around the world. The translation of this slogan unifies the rare disease community and global network under one banner.

25 Feb 2010

BioMarin Pharmaceutical reports GAAP net income of $4.7M for fourth-quarter 2009

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. GAAP net income was $4.7 million ($0.05 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to GAAP net income of $24.5 million ($0.21 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2008, which included a $30.0 million payment from Merck Serono related to the approval of Kuvan in the EU.

24 Feb 2010

AMT announces full year 2009 results; reports modest decrease in operating expenses

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, today reported its results for the year to December 31, 2009.

24 Feb 2010

Genzyme announces fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 financial results

Genzyme Corp., a diversified, global biotechnology company, today announced fourth-quarter and full year 2009 financial results and provided 2010 guidance that reflects growth across its businesses and a focus on strengthening core areas of the company.

18 Feb 2010

Special issue reviews current state of science in fetal therapy

Repairing birth defects in the womb. Inserting a tiny laser into the mother's uterus to seal off an abnormal blood flow and save fetal twins. Advancing the science that may allow doctors to deliver cells or DNA to treat sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases before birth.

17 Feb 2010

Muscular Dystrophy News and Research

Further Reading

Muscular dystrophy: $1M grant for study of erectile dysfunction drugs in improving muscle blood flow

Cardiologist receives grant to study impact of erectile dysfunction drugs on muscular dystrophy patients

Americans to join in Purple Day campaign to support epilepsy awareness

BeaconEquity.com: AVI BioPharma's revenues for fourth-quarter of 2009 are $5.1M

Competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment: Myths and realities

Grass-roots initiative raises more than $20 million to advance MDA's lifesaving mission

Reversal of aging in normal human cells

Blocking RhoA enzyme increases survival in SMA mouse model

'Molecular band-aid' may help protect hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients

Insmed posts net profit of $2.3M for fourth-quarter 2009

New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to nemaline myopathy

Homecare advocates discuss the value and cost-effectiveness of home-based care

Phase 1 clinical study of ISIS-SOD1Rx in patients with Lou Gehrig's disease commenced

CureDuchenne: Scientific advisors to come together to find cure for DMD

Pioneering stem cell research could revolutionize treatments for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease

"Hope – It's In Our Genes" rare disease campaign slogan translated into multiple international languages and Braille

BioMarin Pharmaceutical reports GAAP net income of $4.7M for fourth-quarter 2009

AMT announces full year 2009 results; reports modest decrease in operating expenses

Genzyme announces fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 financial results

Special issue reviews current state of science in fetal therapy

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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