News

New Blood Test May Help Diagnose Prader-Willi Syndrome, Other Complex Disorders

A new blood test called EpiSign may help identify complex and hard-to-diagnose genomic imprinting disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). EpiSign, available in two versions, can diagnose 19 complex disorders. This newly available diagnostic tool, which identifies common DNA modifications, may also help researchers understand the clinical significance of genetic…

Cactus Extract Reduces Appetite in PWS Mouse Model, Study Reports

Treatment with an Indian cactus extract reduces appetite in a mouse model of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) by interfering with a serotonin receptor in the animal’s brain, a study reports. The study, “Caralluma fimbriata extract activity involves the 5‐HT2c receptor in PWS Snord116 deletion mouse model,” was published in the journal …

Millendo Starts Phase 2b/3 Study Evaluating Livoletide as PWS Treatment

Millendo Therapeutics has launched a Phase 2b/3 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of livoletide (AZP-531) in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), the company announced. The rare genetic disease is characterized by hyperphagia (excessive eating) and obesity, caused by abnormal hormonal levels. Livoletide is designed to reduce…

Zafgen Suspends Plan to Initiate ZGN-1258 Program as Treatment for PWS

Preclinical studies on the long-term impact of the investigational therapy ZGN-1258, being developed as a potential therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), revealed alarming toxicity events and safety issues, Zafgen, the therapy’s developer, has announced. Based on these negative results, the company has changed its plans for ZGN-1258,…