News

The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation continues to support an expanded newborn screening program that includes testing for Sanfilippo syndrome, now by signing on to a letter that the EveryLife Foundation is submitting to legislators in the U.S. states of Maryland and Mississippi. EveryLife‘s letter was written to thank…

Nerve cells in brain tissue from a Sanfilippo syndrome type C mouse model — in early stages of the disease — found structural abnormalities and deficits in nerve cell signaling. These impairments, the study’s scientists said, might underlie the early learning and behavior symptoms seen in Sanfilippo patients. The study, “…

Since 2008, Rare Disease Day — the last day of February — has brought together patients, caregivers, family members, friends, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and improve equity for the more than 7,000 known rare diseases that affect more than 300 million people. In 2022, the…

Altered heparan sulfate metabolism, the underlying cause of Sanfilippo syndrome, leads to dopamine-dependent and autistic-like behaviors in mouse models, a study reported. Treatment with compounds that blocked dopamine-related pathways rescued hyperactive behaviors and social deficits in these mice, suggesting that dopamine-related therapies may ease the severe autistic-like behaviors seen…

The European Commission has granted an orphan drug designation to JR-441, JCR Pharmaceuticals’ brain-penetrating experimental enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for Sanfilippo syndrome type A, the company has announced. The designation is given to investigative therapies with the potential to be safe and effective for rare, life-threatening, or…

Lysogene is terminating its licensing agreement with Sarepta Therapeutics for LYS-SAF302, its investigational gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A, also known as mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA). The therapy is being evaluated in children with the condition in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial called AAVance (…

In a world-first, a team of scientists in Australia has developed a model of Sanfilippo syndrome type A in zebrafish. “By adding a zebrafish model to the toolbox for Sanfilippo research, we are one step closer to finding therapies for patients,” the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation stated in a…

Music therapy may be beneficial for children with Sanfilippo syndrome, a small study in Spain illustrates. The study, “Music therapy and Sanfilippo syndrome: an analysis of psychological and physiological variables of three case studies,” was published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. Music therapy has been…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) asks Americans to plan ahead to participate in the Light Up for Rare campaign to raise awareness of rare diseases. NORD is the U.S. sponsor for Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. The annual awareness day spotlights approximately 7,000…

The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation is encouraging the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to consider Sanfilippo syndrome as a candidate for the agency’s accelerated approval pathway. According to a recent foundation-led study, families of Sanfilippo children are willing to accept modest treatment benefits even if they come…