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Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy

Date:
September 20, 2016
Source:
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
Summary:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided to grant accelerated approval for eteplirsen, the first disease-modifying drug to treat the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy.
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The Muscular Dystrophy Association today celebrated news of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to grant accelerated approval for eteplirsen, the first disease-modifying drug to treat the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy.

Accelerated approval of the drug, which will treat a subset of those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is an important step forward in the development of therapies for neuromuscular diseases and marks an historic achievement for the entire DMD community.

"Today has been a long time in the making," said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks. "This is the outcome MDA dreamed of 25 years ago when it was the first to invest in the breakthrough research that led to development of eteplirsen. Throughout this process we have seen the undeniable strength of our community to rally behind MDA's commitment to find treatments for our families. This is an important victory, and we are honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone who has fought to make this day a reality."

Approval to market eteplirsen was given to pharmaceutical company Sarepta Therapeutics. Eteplirsen will be the first disease-modifying drug on the market in the United States to treat DMD, and approximately 13 percent of DMD patients potentially may be eligible for treatment. Under the terms of the FDA's accelerated approval, Sarepta must conduct a clinical trial of eteplirsen to confirm clinical benefit.


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Materials provided by The Muscular Dystrophy Association. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

The Muscular Dystrophy Association. "Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 September 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160920095640.htm>.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association. (2016, September 20). Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 5, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160920095640.htm
The Muscular Dystrophy Association. "Eteplirsen approved in US for treatment of duchenne muscular dystrophy." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160920095640.htm (accessed December 5, 2024).

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