News

Vyvgart now approved in Canada for adults with AChR-related gMG

Health Canada has approved Vyvgart (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) to treat adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are positive for antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor (AChR), the most common target of MG-causing antibodies. The approval is based on positive data from the Phase 3 ADAPT clinical trial (NCT03669588),…

Retroviral agents for HIV may have caused MG in woman: Case report

A 44-year-old woman positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) developed myasthenia gravis (MG) after receiving treatment with antiretroviral agents. While no clear guidelines exist for treating MG in HIV-infected patients, researchers noted  the woman was successfully treated with prednisone, azathioprine, and plasma exchange. According to them, this approach…

European panel recommends under-the-skin efgartigimod for gMG

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has recommended the approval of Argenx’s under-the-skin, or subcutaneous, formulation of efgartigimod as an add-on to standard therapy for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who have antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Argenx’s into-the-vein (intravenous) formulation of efgartigimod, sold as Vyvgart,…

Povetacicept shows promise in MG mouse model

Treatment with the experimental therapy povetacicept (ALPN-303) reduced disease activity in a mouse model of myasthenia gravis (MG), according to data shared by its developer, Alpine Immune Sciences. Povetacicept also was tolerated well by healthy volunteers participating in a Phase 1 clinical trial. “Together, these data provide strong…

Recipharm, Ahead team up to develop new treatment for MG

Recipharm is partnering with Ahead Therapeutics to develop a new type of therapy to reestablish immune tolerance and prevent the self-reactive immune attacks that cause myasthenia gravis (MG). “Together with our partner, we are determined to help them turn hope into reality for people living with myasthenia…

Folia expands patient-reported platform to MG

Folia Health is expanding the use of its smartphone app for gathering self-reported patient health data to people with myasthenia gravis (MG) and other neurological conditions. Patients’ daily experiences will contribute to obtaining comprehensive data on disease progression and treatment response, which are expected to contribute to improving…

Cell-based assay better at detecting MG-driving antibodies

A cell-based assay for detecting myasthenia gravis (MG)-causing antibodies in the blood results in greater diagnostic accuracy than two other antibody tests, according to data from a study in China. The cell-based assay (CBA) was superior to enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and radioactivity radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) at detecting antibodies…