News

NORD Rare Disease Summit, Online Oct. 18-19, Open for Registration

Registration is now open for the 2021 Rare Diseases and Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit, which will be held virtually Oct. 18–19. The event, also known as the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Summit, brings the rare disease community together to network and discuss developments in treatments and research…

Advocates Lobby US Congress During Virtual Rare Disease Week

More than 600 people participated in the 10th annual Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill 2021, held virtually July 14–22, to advocate for the rare disease community. Hosted by the EveryLife Foundation’s Rare Disease Legislative Advocates (RDLA) program, the event brings together community members from across the U.S. to…

US Patient Groups Give Thumbs-Up to Rule Against Surprise Billing

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is applauding the Biden administration for announcing a rule to protect consumers from surprise medical billing, in a joint statement with 26 other U.S. patient organizations. The interim final rule will implement patient protections required by the No Surprises Act. Surprise…

Partnership Aims to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Rare Disease Meds

AllianceRx Walgreens Prime, a specialty and home delivery pharmacy, is partnering with TailorMed, a healthcare technology company, to help lower out-of-pocket prescription costs for specialty pharmacy patients. Medications attained through specialty pharmacies are those used to treat rare and chronic conditions in the U.S., and are often extremely costly. For…

This Probiotic May Help Prevent Obesity in Children with PWS

Twice daily supplementation with a probiotic may help reduce body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a clinical trial in China has found. The probiotic — Limosilactobacillus reuteri LR-99 — also improved social communication and interaction, fine motor skills, and overall development…

9 Meters Acquires Investigational Therapy NM-136

9 Meters Biopharma acquired global development rights to NM-136, a potential Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) therapy, from its maker, Lobesity. The therapy candidate, formerly known as LOB-0136, aims to reduce obesity among PWS patients by targeting the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), a molecule that helps sugar enter fat cells.

Nominations Open for 2022 Eurordis Black Pearl Awards

Nominations are now open for the worldwide 2022 Black Pearl Awards from Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. The 12 award categories recognize individual advocates, policy makers, researchers, organizations, and companies who work to make a difference for the global rare disease community. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 10…