Posts by: Joana Carvalho

Joana Carvalho

Joana holds a BSc in Biology, a MSc in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Her work has been focused on the impact of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the collective behavior of endothelial cells — cells that made up the lining of blood vessels — found in the umbilical cord of newborns.

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

#MSVirtual2020 – Tolebrutinib Prevents Myelin Loss in Mouse Model of MS-like Demyelination

News

Tolebrutinib (SAR442168), an investigational oral BTK inhibitor to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), was seen to prevent the loss of myelin when given to a mouse model of demyelination in ... Read more

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020

#MSVirtual2020 – GeNeuro’s Temelimab Found Safe When Given Alongside Rituximab

News

Temelimab, GeNeuro’s investigative treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), showed a favorable safety profile when given alongside rituximab, according to preclinical safety experiments performed in preparation for the company’s new Phase ... Read more

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

#MSVirtual2020 – New Safety, Efficacy Data on Mavenclad, Rebif and Evobrutinib on Way

News

EMD Serono will present new data from programs assessing the efficacy and safety of Mavenclad (cladribine) and Rebif (interferon beta-1a), as well as investigative evobrutinib in treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) ... Read more

September 8, 2020September 8, 2020

#MSVirtual2020 – ATA188 Safe, Early Efficacy Seen in Progressive MS Trial

News

ATA188, Atara Biotherapeutics’ investigative T-cell immunotherapy, is safe, well tolerated, and able to ease disability and improve exercise capacity in patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to ... Read more

September 8, 2020September 8, 2020

Bafiertam, Oral Relapsing MS Therapy, Arrives in US

News

Bafiertam (monomethyl fumarate), a bioequivalent of Tecfidera to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), is now available to patients in the U.S. through a network of specialty pharmacies, Banner Life ... Read more

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020

MS Patients Who Interact With Health Information More Likely to Adopt Healthy Lifestyle

News

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who interact with different sources of health information are more likely to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors, a study has found. A combination of in-person ... Read more

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020

SomaCeuticals Acquires Rights to Formula Targeting Lesions in MS

News

SomaCeuticals, a subsidiary of AngioSoma, has acquired exclusive global rights to a patented formula that aims to ease and possibly eliminate signs of neurodegeneration in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). ... Read more

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

Youthful Obesity May Account for 14% of MS Cases in US by 2035

News

The number of new cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) possibly due to obesity in childhood and adolescence could rise by  14% in the U.S. over the next 15 years, and by ... Read more

August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

#MSVirtual2020 – MRI Changes Can Reflect Function in Progressive MS, Study Says

News

Certain MRI measures of the brain and spinal cord directly associate with functional improvements in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study reports. According to BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, ... Read more

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020

Sanofi to Acquire Principia Biopharma in $3.6 Billion Transaction

News

In a $3.68 billion transaction, Sanofi is preparing to acquire Principia Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for disorders caused by dysregulation of the immune system, ... Read more

July 29, 2020July 29, 2020

CHI3L1 Protein Levels May Mark Neurologic Disability in PPMS, Study Suggests

News

Levels of a protein linked to inflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) — called chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) — may prove to be a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker of neurologic disability in ... Read more

July 27, 2020July 27, 2020

Tysabri in Long-term Use Seen to Lessen Relapses, Stabilize Disease

News

Tysabri (natalizumab) is effective at reducing the frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and is rarely associated with poor clinical outcomes, a real-life and multiyear observational ... Read more

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020

UK Health Services Failing MS Patient Needs Under Pandemic, Survey Finds

Covid-19, News

A vast majority — 7 out of every 10 — healthcare professionals working with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients across the U.K. believe health services are failing to meet their needs ... Read more

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020

FDA Will Review Arbaclofen ER, Potential Oral Therapy for MS Spasticity

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review  Osmotica Pharmaceuticals‘ amended request for the approval of arbaclofen extended release (ER) tablets to treat spasticity in people with multiple ... Read more

July 21, 2020July 22, 2020

Retina Thickness Can Be Used to Identify MS Patients with Progressive Disease, Study Suggests

News

The thickness of two layers of nerve cells forming the back of the eye, or retina, can be used to distinguish patients with progressing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) from ... Read more

July 15, 2020July 15, 2020

High Levels of NfL Protein Linked to Disability, Faster Disease Progression in MS

News

High levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) protein circulating in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) at an early stage of the disease are linked to higher disability ... Read more

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

University of Sydney Awarded AU$7.1M in Pursuit of Better MS, Mental Health Treatment

News

The Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) has awarded AU$7.1 million (about $4.95 million) to support two projects focused on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine ... Read more

July 10, 2020August 24, 2020

Trial of Cannabis Derivatives in Treating MS Spasticity to Open in Canada

News

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its partner, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), have invested CA$1.5 million to open a clinical trial that will investigate the potential of ... Read more

July 9, 2020July 9, 2020

B-Cells Infected by Epstein-Barr Virus Linked to MS Relapse Risk in Study

News

Immune B-cells that proliferate unchecked when infected by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) appear to increase the risk of relapses in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a mouse study suggests. The study, ... Read more

July 7, 2020July 7, 2020

Collaborative Project Will Focus on TRPM4 as Potential Therapeutic Target for MS

News

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has granted €1.2 million ($1.35 million) to support a project seeking to characterize the function of the protein TRPM4, a potential ... Read more

July 2, 2020July 2, 2020

Osmotica Amends NDA for Arbaclofen ER to Treat MS Spasticity

News

Osmotica Pharmaceuticals has submitted an amended new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of arbaclofen extended release (ER) tablets for the treatment ... Read more

July 1, 2020July 1, 2020

Exposure to DMTs Does Not Increase Risk of Severe COVID-19 in MS Patients, Study Finds

News

Exposure to disease-modifying therapies does not increase multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19, according to a registry-based study. However, MS patients who are older, obese, ... Read more

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020

1st Relapsing MS Patient Enrolls in Phase 3 Trial of Oral SAR442168

News

A first person has enrolled in Sanofi’s Phase 3 trial evaluating SAR442168, an oral BTK inhibitor intended to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), Sanofi’s partner, Principia Biopharma, announced. “We are delighted ... Read more

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020

Adamas Stopping Further Work on ADS-5102 for Walking Problems in MS

News

Adamas Pharmaceuticals has decided to stop further clinical development of ADS-5102 (amantadine), intended to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have difficulties with walking. The decision came after the company ... Read more

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020

Gilenya May Help Control Severe Respiratory Disease in COVID-19

Covid-19, News

Gilenya (fingolimod), which works to modulate immune system activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), may benefit people with severe respiratory disease associated with COVID-19, a case report highlights. The study, “Severe ... Read more

June 18, 2020June 18, 2020

Depression 2 to 3 Times More Likely in MS Patients Than Others, Study Finds

News

A likelihood of depression is two to three times higher in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the U.S. and U.K. than in similar groups of people in these countries without the ... Read more

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020

Phase 3 Trial of GA Depot for Relapsing MS Advances With $20M Support

News

Mapi Pharma, supported by an additional $20 million investment from its partner Mylan, will continue a Phase 3 trial assessing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of GA Depot, its long-acting, once-a-month ... Read more

June 15, 2020June 15, 2020

ERT Acquires APDM With Goal of Better Data for Movement Disorder Trials

News

ERT, which specializes in clinical trial data collection, announced it has acquired APDM Wearable Technologies (APDM), a provider of wearables and digital biomarkers, to improve the accuracy of key efficacy ... Read more

June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Switch From Tysabri to Other DMT Raises Relapse Risk, Study Finds

News

The risk of a relapse is two to three times higher in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients who switch from Tysabri (natalizumab) to an oral or other injectable disease-modifying therapy after two or ... Read more

June 10, 2020June 15, 2020

Prime Signs Agreement With EMD Serono to Improve Mavenclad’s Cost-benefit Value

News

Note: This story was updated on June 15, 2020, to clarify that the agreement allows for possible reimbursement for Prime’s health plan clients, not patients directly.  Prime Therapeutics has signed ... Read more

June 8, 2020June 8, 2020

2 Exercise Rehab Aids Soon Available to Patients in US via ReWalk Robotics

News

ReWalk Robotics is preparing to implement agreements allowing it to distribute in the U.S. two new neuro-rehabilitation devices for people with motor disabilities, including those with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal ... Read more

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020

Ofatumumab Lowers B-cell Counts and Helps Relapsing MS Patients Reach NEDA, Data Show

News

Ofatumumab (OMB157) elicits a strong and fast reduction in the levels of circulating immune cells in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), effectively helping to stop disease activity, ... Read more

May 28, 2020August 20, 2020

MS Diagnostic Criteria Should Be Changed to First Rule Out NMOSD, Study Says

News

Diagnostic guidelines for multiple sclerosis (MS) should be amended to first rule out the presence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a neurological inflammatory disease that also affects the brain ... Read more

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020

Cell Transplant Restores Myelin Production in Brains of Adult Mice in MS Model

News

Human glial progenitor cells — forerunners of nerve cells that protect and support neurons — transplanted into adult mice in a model of multiple sclerosis (MS) were seen to restore ... Read more

May 14, 2020May 15, 2020

FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation to Helius’ PoNS Device

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough device designation to Helius Medical Technologies’ portable neuromodulation stimulator (PoNS) for the treatment of walking impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS) ... Read more

May 11, 2020May 11, 2020

MMJ Can Ship Cannabis Products to US for Clinical Testing, Agencies Say

News

MMJ International Holdings announced that it has been given clearance to ship its cannabis-based products to the U.S. for use in future clinical trials of potential cannabis-based treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) ... Read more

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020

US Grants Patent to MedRhythms’ Proprietary Audio Engine Used in Walking Therapy Products

News

Read more

April 22, 2020April 22, 2020

Nimodipine Can Prevent Spasticity Following Spinal Cord Injury, Mouse Study Shows

News

Nimodipine, an approved medication to prevent brain damage caused by hemorrhage, can be used to prevent spasticity following a spinal cord injury, a mouse study shows. In addition to spinal cord ... Read more

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020

Scientists Build Map of Toxic Immune Cells Contributing to Neurodegeneration in MS

News

Scientists have built a map of the toxic immune cells that contribute to neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Their findings may open the door to the development of new medications that ... Read more

April 13, 2020April 14, 2020

Tysabri Shows Safety, Effectiveness in Real-world RRMS Use: 10-year TOP Data

News

Tysabri (natalizumab) is safe and shows robust, real-world effectiveness at reducing the frequency of relapses in people  with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), 10 years of data from a large, observational ... Read more