Alice Melão,  —

Analysis of facial movements in response to light and sound stimulation during ultrasound scans may help diagnose Prader‐Willi syndrome in babies before they are born, a case report suggests. The study, “Comparing a fetus diagnosed with Prader‐Willi‐syndrome with non‐affected fetuses…

Inversago Pharma has raised $7 million to support the development of a new generation of cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor blockers for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. With the money, Inversago plans to advance its new compounds into clinical trials. CB1 inhibitors have…

Results from a Phase 2 clinical trial show that Levo Therapeutics’ lead therapy candidate, LV-101 (intranasal carbetocin), can effectively reduce symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in children, the company announced. The investigational therapy was found to decrease the patients’ uncontrolled urge for food and excessive eating, with a…

Zafgen‘s investigative therapy ZGN-1258, under development as a treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome, is being evaluated in preclinical studies as it moves toward clinical trials in humans, according to the biopharmaceutical company. The results of this initial phase are expected to support the submission of an investigational new drug…

The Gairdner Foundation recently announced the 2018 Canada Gairdner awardees for $100,000 prizes that recognize important research and biomedical discoveries. Among the five laureates are Davor Solter and Azim Surani for their discovery of parent-inherited genomic imprinting, a mechanism that regulates gene activity and can induce diseases such as Prader-Willi…

Diazoxide helps reduce weight, body fat, and improve blood glucose levels and endurance capacity, in mice models of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a study shows. The findings suggest that diazoxide targets cellular mechanisms that contribute to PWS development. In addition, the study provides further evidence demonstrating diazoxide’s potential to treat…

Long-term use of growth hormone therapy in young adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) fails to prevent bone deterioration. But a combination of growth hormone therapy and sex hormone therapy may have therapeutic potential for PWS patients, a new study suggests. The findings were reported in a study titled, “…