News

New Data-sharing Program Aims to Speed Innovation in Rare Diseases

A new U.S. initiative called Rare Disease Cures Accelerator–Data and Analytics Platform — dubbed RDCA–DAP — aims to accelerate treatment innovation across rare diseases by sharing existing patient data and promoting the standardization of new data collection. Launched during a virtual workshop in September, the U.S. Food and Drug…

Elixir Chooses Maxor Specialty as CF Medication Provider

Pharmacy benefits and services company Elixir has chosen Maxor Specialty Pharmacy to be its network’s exclusive provider of medications for cystic fibrosis (CF). Maxor Specialty specializes in rare diseases like CF and is one of four pharmacies in the U.S. to have access to all medications approved for cystic fibrosis,…

Phase 1 Study of KB407 Green-lighted in Australia

A research ethics committee in Australia has given Krystal Biotech the go-ahead to start a Phase 1 clinical study of KB407, the company’s investigational inhaled gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF). Enrollment for the trial is expected to start soon, according to Krystal, following approval from the…

Trikafta Now Covered in 2 More Canadian Provinces

The publicly funded drug access programs in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan are now covering the triple-combination therapy Trikafta for eligible patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). These provinces join Ontario as the first to confirm coverage of Trikafta in Canada. “It’s a relief to know that…

Screening Infants Helps, But Care Needs Improvement

The implementation of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) in the U.S. allowed for early diagnosis and clinical evaluation of affected infants, and reduced rates of serious lung infections and hospitalizations over time, according to data from the first nine years of universal screening. However, early nutritional deficits…

Patients in Ontario Can Now Access Trikafta Through Public Plan

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) in Ontario, Canada, will now have access to the triple-combination therapy Trikafta through the province’s publicly funded drug program. “Our government has taken urgent action to ensure all cystic fibrosis patients will have more timely access to the effective and lifechanging treatments they need,”…