SMA Europe Comments on the Recent Positive Recommendation for Zolgensma®
01 April 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
SMA Europe has released this statement re the positive recommendation for the gene therapy treatment, which was released on 27th March by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the further information now available about what the licence may make possible.
COVID-9 Questions from the Community Answered by Neuromuscular Clinicians
30 March 2020 / Posted in: Information, Support
We have some SMA-focused advice on our website from a group of neuromuscular clinical experts who lead the adult and children’s NorthStar and SMA REACH clinical networks and work across a wide range of neuromuscular conditions. All the patient groups have been asking, and continue to ask, more detailed questions which we will update as Q&A pages.
Zolgensma: Request to NICE to Include Appraisal as a Therapeutically-Critical Topic in COVID-19 Impacted Work Programme
27 March 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
We're aware that due to the challenges of working through the impact of Covid-19 on NICE’s workload, they will need to re-prioritise their HST work programme to focus on therapeutically-critical topics. We have written to them today urging them to ensure this includes the appraisal of this potentially life-changing treatment.
Zolgensma data shows rapid, significant and clinically meaningful therapeutic benefit in patients who have SMA
27 March 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
Avexis provide an update on several of their clinical studies showing that a single treatment with Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) can result in rapid, significant and clinically meaningful therapeutic benefit in people with SMN-linked SMA. This effect was sustained in patients who received their treatment up to five years ago, some of whom are now more than five years of age.
Zolgensma® (onasemnogene abeparvovec) Recommended for European Commission (EC) Conditional Approval
27 March 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
This is for patients who have SMA and a clinical diagnosis of Type 1 or SMA patients with up to three copies of the SMN2 gene.
Study Shows Nusinersen is Safe and Effective for SMA Treatment in Adults
27 March 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
A study, published in the Lancet this month, has shown nusinersen to be safe and effective for the treatment of SMA in adults. Dr. Hagenacker and team carried out an observational study of 173 adults with SMN-linked SMA at ten academic clinical sites in Germany.
Our Supportive Board of Trustees
26 March 2020 / Posted in: Information, Support
We've had great support during these difficult days from our Trustees. They know our main focus is to provide information and support to the Community, but with fundraising events cancelled and everyone needing to look after their own needs first, they're also doing their best to help us plan round a massive drop in income and the impact this will have on our staff and capacity to keep going.
Changes in Our Activities due to Covid-19
26 March 2020 / Posted in: Information, Support
Our key focus is to keep you up-to-date with information via our website pages and social media. Our Support Services team is here to support you and talk things through. The best way to contact us is via email or phone. We are picking up messages three times a day. Virtual networks continue. Many other activities have had to change.
Planning for Access to Nusinersen – Survey of Adults, What Next
26 March 2020 / Posted in: Information, Treatments & Research, Support
Thanks to all who responded. You can see the ‘top line’ results here. We have forwarded summary information about who has asked for contact to the adult treatment centre network lead clinician. If you gave any personal details but asked for these not to be shared, these have not and will not be passed on.
SMA Gene Therapy Zolgensma Approved in Japan
24 March 2020 / Posted in: Treatments & Research
Novartis announced on 19th March 2020 that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Zolgensma for the treatment of SMA in patients under the age of two, including those who are pre-symptomatic at diagnosis. This approval was based on the results from several clinical trials.
