Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Taysha Gene Therapies and Invitae have announced a partnership to support Invitae’s Detect Lysosomal Storage Diseases (Detect LSDs) and Behind the Seizure programs by offering free genetic testing to patients. The Detect LSDs program aims to enable the rapid diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases such as…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…

Problems with one or more senses are common in people with Sanfilippo syndrome and other mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs), but there is very little research into how these impairments affect daily living or life quality, a new paper indicates. Collecting data using questionnaires or forms filled in by patients that…

Seelos Therapeutics announced it has received a positive opinion on an orphan drug designation for SLS-005 (trehalose) — its investigational therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome — from the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), a part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Following this opinion from…

An ongoing clinical trial is investigating an approved anti-inflammatory compound anakinra, sold under the brand name Kineret, as a potential treatment for Sanfilippo syndrome. The Phase 2/3 pilot trial (NCT04018755) opened in May in the U.S. and has enrolled 20 children, ages 4 and older, all of whom will be…

A multiplex test using a drop of dried blood can be used to screen newborns for eight different lysosomal storage diseases, including Sanfilippo syndrome, a new study shows. The study, “Newborn screening for Morquio disease and other lysosomal storage diseases: results from the 8-plex assay for 70,000…

Injecting BMN 250 — a potential enzyme replacement therapy for Sanflippo type B — directly into the fluid around the brain is a more effective way than intravenous infusion to get the treatment into the brain, a study in animal models suggests. The study, “Translational studies of…

The accumulation of heparan sulfate in Sanfilippo syndrome type B can alter sulfur metabolism in the body, which seems to be sex- and organ-specific, a mouse study suggests. The study, “Effect of glycosaminoglycans accumulation on the non-oxidative sulfur metabolism in mouse model of Sanfilippo syndrome, type…