News

People with myasthenia gravis (MG) who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy are more likely to be hospitalized for a COVID-19 infection, yet the majority of patients are discharged without any complications, a single center study reports. “Immunosuppressive therapy was continued during COVID-19 infection,” and “most of hospitalized patients were discharged…

Two investigational UCB treatments for generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) — zilucoplan and rozanolixizumab — continue to show benefits in gMG patients, according to recently reported findings from Phase 3 trials. Both delivered as subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injections, zilucoplan works by blocking an immune system protein called C5 that…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug status to NMD670, an experimental oral therapy that NMD Pharma is developing as a potential treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG). The designation is given to therapies intended for treating rare diseases, defined as those affecting fewer than…

The European Commission has approved Ultomiris (ravulizumab) as an add-on to standard therapy for adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). Eligible patients will be positive for antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) — the most common type of MG-causing antibody. Ultomiris is now the first long-acting C5 complement…

Argenx has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of subcutaneous efgartigimod — an under-the-skin formulation of the active agent in Vyvgart — for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). FDA approval would provide gMG patients with an additional delivery…

Long-term immunotherapy may cause anemia in female patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a Japanese study that found that women with this blood condition — one of the potential side effects of immunotherapy — had significantly worse disease severity. Anemia, a condition marked by a low…

Pyridostigmine is perceived as being moderately effective at easing myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms, but often is accompanied by side effects, a study of Dutch patients revealed. Researchers noted the findings do not indicate a need for changes to current guidelines, which recommend the use of pyridostigmine as a first-line…

Virtis Health announced that it will open two ambulatory centers in Ohio — one in Columbus and the other in Cleveland — for people in need of infusion therapies, including those with myasthenia gravis (MG). Virtis is a division of Soleo Health, a pharmacy specialized in the…

Researchers in Iran reported the first case of myasthenia gravis (MG) following a Sinopharm vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The report follows evidence of a possible link between COVID-19 vaccination and MG. While the mechanisms remain unclear, “if muscle weakness, ocular and bulbar [neck and facial]…

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (SCIg) — given by under-the-skin injection — was well-tolerated and effective in the management of adults with myasthenia gravis (MG), a small study has found. Although the therapy is approved for other diseases related to immune system deficiency, and is currently under investigation as an…