News

Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals (EHP), the company developing the synthetic cannabis-derived EHP-101 as a treatment for scleroderma, has been granted six patents related to 25 new molecules derived from cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). The new patents were granted in Japan, Israel, Australia, and Russia. Both CBD…

Higher-than-normal blood levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1), a pro-fibrotic protein, are associated with a greater risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) among people with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), a study suggests. This finding points to SCCA1 blood levels as a potential biomarker for early detection of SSc-ILD,…

Heart and kidney imaging may help detect fibrosis, or scarring, in asymptomatic people with scleroderma, and could be useful in routine evaluations for people with the disease, a study suggests. The study, “Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Is Associated with High Renal Resistive Index…

The number of treatments for children with rare diseases has grown over the past decade, according to a new study. However, despite the increase, nearly 7,000 rare diseases are still lacking treatment. And federal incentives to boost treatment development for these rare diseases have primarily focused not on creating new…

One year of treatment with Tracleer (bosentan) significantly reduces the severity of patient-reported skin symptoms in people with scleroderma, a new study suggests. Yet, these benefits are diminished among those with more severe complications before treatment. The study, “A patient-centered approach to the burden…

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…

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the approval of Ofev (nintedanib) to preserve lung function in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) in the European Union. Boehringer Ingelheim, the company marketing Ofev, submitted the request for this indication in…

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…