Neuroimmunology

The MOG Project, Pediatric Neurologist Secure CDC Approval to Adopt ICD-10 Code for Rare Disease MOGAD

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023

OLNEY, Md., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The MOG Project, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the research and treatment of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD) announced that its Executive Director Julia Lefelar, with support from The MOG Project Executive Board and Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Pediatric Neurologist Jonathan Santoro, MD, secured approval to have the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) create an ICD-10 code for MOGAD. As of October 1, 2023, an official code for MOGAD is included in the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Related Health Problems, which is relied upon by physicians and insurance providers to classify diagnoses and advise treatment.

Key Points: 
  • Without a CDC code, MOGAD patients had previously been grouped in with patients with similar diseases like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, optic neuritis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis and even multiple sclerosis.
  • "For the MOGAD community, this CDC code is more than a win for better health outcomes and fewer insurance delays, it gives our rare disease an identity and legitimizes it."
  • "The addition of a MOGAD specific ICD-10 code allows patients to better access the therapies that they need to treat their disease," said Santoro.
  • "Further, it allows for disease monitoring across the country, which will increase knowledge and research on this rare neuroimmunology disorder."

Aeterna Zentaris Outlines Progress on Development Pipeline Programs and Provides Corporate Update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 13, 2023

“We are encouraged by our significant progress across all of our active development programs, and based on the prioritization of our pipeline, have strengthened our focus on our diagnostic and therapeutic programs as we execute on key decision points,” commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive Officer of Aeterna.

Key Points: 
  • “We are encouraged by our significant progress across all of our active development programs, and based on the prioritization of our pipeline, have strengthened our focus on our diagnostic and therapeutic programs as we execute on key decision points,” commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive Officer of Aeterna.
  • This approach is based on induction of selective and highly target-specific immune de-sensibilization based on the natural concept of feto-maternal tolerance.
  • Together, we look forward to furthering the development of this program.”
    Demonstrated positive pre-clinical proof-of-concept in various in-vitro and in-vivo models.
  • “We remain focused on advancing our programs to their next phase of development, guided by the data and financial risk/reward as we do so.

Biohaven Acquires Exclusive License for Oral, Brain-Penetrant, Dual TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor for Immune-Mediated Brain Disorders

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Brain penetrant inhibitors of TYK2/JAK1 have the potential to bring this validated immune target to brain disorders.

Key Points: 
  • Brain penetrant inhibitors of TYK2/JAK1 have the potential to bring this validated immune target to brain disorders.
  • There are currently no brain penetrant, selective, dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitors approved for brain disorders.
  • We have delivered what we believe is a best-in-class dual TYK2/JAK1 molecule and the team at Biohaven has the clinical development expertise to explore its utility in brain disorders.
  • We are excited to work with Chris and the team at Highlightll to advance this novel and highly differentiated dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor in the treatment of brain disorders."

Algernon NeuroScience Doses First Subject in Phase 1 DMT Clinical Stroke Study

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 17, 2023

“I am delighted that Algernon NeuroScience has begun their Phase 1 DMT study,” said Dr. Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule and Algernon consultant.

Key Points: 
  • “I am delighted that Algernon NeuroScience has begun their Phase 1 DMT study,” said Dr. Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule and Algernon consultant.
  • The resulting data generated will help the Company to plan both a Phase 2 acute stroke and rehabilitation study more effectively.
  • “This Phase 1 study is an important milestone as we advance our investigation of DMT for the treatment of stroke,” said Christopher J. Moreau CEO of Algernon Pharmaceuticals.
  • “We anticipate receiving data from this study in Q3 2023, and potentially beginning Phase 2 studies in stroke patients by the end of the calendar year.”

Collaborative Study by NeuroQuest and AIBL Shows Specific Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Could Lead to Blood-based Screening Tool

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 15, 2022

This approach identifies disease specific immune deficits that we believe are associated with the onset of the disease.

Key Points: 
  • This approach identifies disease specific immune deficits that we believe are associated with the onset of the disease.
  • The results of the clinical study were published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association ("Alzheimer's & Dementia").
  • Newly developed disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease appear to be especially effective in the early stages of clinical disease.
  • Neuroquest is an Israeli-based biotechnology company focused on the discovery of blood-based immune biomarkers in pre-clinical stage Alzheimer's.

Coya Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication of Phase 2a Clinical Trial Data for COYA 101 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 1, 2022

Coya has an exclusive worldwide license from Houston Methodist Hospital to develop, manufacture, and commercialize COYA 101.

Key Points: 
  • Coya has an exclusive worldwide license from Houston Methodist Hospital to develop, manufacture, and commercialize COYA 101.
  • Subjects enrolled in the Phase 2a trial were initially randomized into a double-blind portion to receive active Treg cells or matching placebo every four weeks over 24 weeks.
  • The DB portion of the trial was curtailed due to COVID-19-related restrictions, and the limited number of patients enrolled made statistical analysis not feasible.
  • The Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) is a validated rating instrument that gauges the progression of disability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on a 48-point scale.

EyeYon Medical Appoints Dr. Sharon Bakalash MD, PhD As Chief Medical Officer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 22, 2022

NES ZIONA, Israel, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeYon Medical, a leading start-up company that develops innovative ophthalmic medical devices, announces Dr. Bakalash as Chief Medical Officer of EyeYon Medical .

Key Points: 
  • NES ZIONA, Israel, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeYon Medical, a leading start-up company that develops innovative ophthalmic medical devices, announces Dr. Bakalash as Chief Medical Officer of EyeYon Medical .
  • Dr. Bakalash is a seasoned biotechnology entrepreneur and an ophthalmic surgeon with more than two decades of demonstrated leadership in business, science, and medicine.
  • I've known Sharon for years and her experience, professionalism, and personality is a perfect match for EyeYon Medical's multi-talented team."
  • Dr. Bakalash was a part of the Harvard University Office of Technology Development ( http://otd.harvard.edu/ ), out-licensing innovations stemming from the medical school.

EyeYon Medical Appoints Dr. Sharon Bakalash MD, PhD As Chief Medical Officer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 22, 2022

NES ZIONA, Israel, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeYon Medical, a leading start-up company that develops innovative ophthalmic medical devices, announces Dr. Bakalash as Chief Medical Officer of EyeYon Medical .

Key Points: 
  • NES ZIONA, Israel, Feb. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EyeYon Medical, a leading start-up company that develops innovative ophthalmic medical devices, announces Dr. Bakalash as Chief Medical Officer of EyeYon Medical .
  • Dr. Bakalash is a seasoned biotechnology entrepreneur and an ophthalmic surgeon with more than two decades of demonstrated leadership in business, science, and medicine.
  • I've known Sharon for years and her experience, professionalism, and personality is a perfect match for EyeYon Medical's multi-talented team."
  • Dr. Bakalash was a part of the Harvard University Office of Technology Development ( http://otd.harvard.edu/ ), out-licensing innovations stemming from the medical school.

Aristea Therapeutics Announces Key Leadership Appointments to Advance Its Clinical Pipeline

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 13, 2022

James M. Mackay, Ph.D., President and CEO of Aristea, commented, "Ciara and Fabio are invaluable members of our Board and management teams, respectively.

Key Points: 
  • James M. Mackay, Ph.D., President and CEO of Aristea, commented, "Ciara and Fabio are invaluable members of our Board and management teams, respectively.
  • "I'm delighted to expand my role with Aristea at such a dynamic time for the company," said Dr. Kennedy.
  • "It is truly an honor to join Aristea and be part of such an exceptional team," said Dr. Magrini.
  • Aristea Therapeutics (Air-iss-tay-uh) is a clinical-stage immunology focused drug development company advancing novel therapies to treat serious inflammatory diseases.

Xalud Therapeutics Expands Leadership Team with Key Appointments

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

We aim to build a franchise of therapeutics addressing chronic inflammation and neuroimmunology with our transformative non-viral gene therapy platform,\xe2\x80\x9d said Diem Nguyen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Xalud.

Key Points: 
  • We aim to build a franchise of therapeutics addressing chronic inflammation and neuroimmunology with our transformative non-viral gene therapy platform,\xe2\x80\x9d said Diem Nguyen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Xalud.
  • \xe2\x80\x9cThe newly established leadership team, in addition to its strong legacy members, will strengthen the company to realize the full potential of XT-150, one of the first non-viral gene therapies available potentially for millions suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.\xe2\x80\x9d\nXalud\xe2\x80\x99s leadership team now includes the following industry leaders:\nHoward Rutman, M.D., MBA, joins Xalud as the company\xe2\x80\x99s chief development officer.
  • Howard\xe2\x80\x99s significant experience in medical affairs and development across CNS, inflammatory disease, oncology, and dermatology and as a practicing clinician will lead Xalud\xe2\x80\x99s development pathway for XT-150.
  • Prior to his role at Xalud, Howard was vice president of medical affairs for Daiichi Sankyo\xe2\x80\x99s US Business Division.