Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

CF Foundation Funds Three New Research Projects

As part of its Path to a Cure initiative, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced three new awards to fund research projects that seek to advance the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). The largest award, of up to $2.6 million, was given to Eloxx Pharmaceuticals to aid in the…

Vertex, Concert Strike Deal on Investigational Therapy VX-561

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has made a $32 million purchase from Concert Pharmaceuticals related to future milestones from the 2017 agreement when Vertex purchased Concert’s investigational treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), VX-561. According to Roger Tung, PhD, Concert’s president and CEO, the purchase will help Concert as it continues…

MS1819 Plus PERT Aids Digestion in People With Severe EPI, Trial Indicates

Combining AzurRx BioPharma‘s investigational therapy MS1819 with standard pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) can improve fat absorption in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), interim data from a Phase 2 clinical trial indicate. “The overarching goal of our MS1819 program is to provide a safe and…

CF Patients Cite Barriers to Physical Activity

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience many barriers that limit their participation in physical activity, ranging from a lack of energy to low motivation to self-consciousness, a recent study highlights. A “tentative but important finding” from the study is that people with CF generally prefer at-home exercise over going…

PDE4 Inhibitors May Help Treat CF, Dry Mouth

Blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) may be useful in the treatment of dry mouth and cystic fibrosis (CF), new preclinical research suggests. The study, “Inhibition of cAMP-Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) Induces Salivation in Mice,” is being presented virtually at the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental…

CHMP Favors Kaftrio to Treat CF Patients in EU Starting at Age 12

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee favors extending the label for Kaftrio (ivacaftor/tezacaftor/elexacaftor), in combination with Kalydeco (ivacaftor), to treat cystic fibrosis (CF) patients 12 and older who have at least one copy of the CFTR gene with an F508del mutation. The European Commission (EC) approved the same combination last year…