Drug Repurposing for Rare Disease and the Future of Health – The Genetics Podcast
In this double-bill episode of The Genetics Podcast, Dr. Patrick Short talks to two key rare disease researchers in the field: Dr. Bruce Bloom, CCO of Healx, and Dr. Mike Tranfaglia, CSO of FRAXA. Both draw on their wide-ranging personal and professional experiences to discuss the successes and opportunities of drug repurposing, the power of using machine learning, and the work they’ve been doing to aid in finding effective treatments for Fragile X.
Considering Available Drugs for Fragile X: My Favorite Combination (So Far)
Which of the available drugs are best for managing fragile X syndrome? Most drugs have “off-target” effects which can have key advantages in some cases.
Less Active Immune System Evident in Fragile X Patients, Study Suggests
People with Fragile X syndrome are more likely to develop infections, but are less susceptible to autoimmune disorders than the overall population, a new study found. Taken together, this suggests that the immune system is underactive in this patient population. The study, titled, “The phenotypical implications of immune dysregulation in Fragile X syndrome,” was published in the European Journal of Neurology.
Results Reported: Using EEG Responses to Sound for Fragile X Drug Discovery
Jonathan Lovelace, a FRAXA funded Postdoc at UC Riverside, has made some exciting EEG findings over the past few years studying auditory hypersensitivity in mice and therapeutic drug treatments. A big obstacle in FXS research has been establishing reliable, unbiased, and translation relevant biomarkers that can be used to determine the effectiveness of therapies. One of the most important discoveries they have made is the striking similarity in EEG biomarkers between mice and humans.
A Tribute to Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark, beloved author and Fragile X advocate, passed at 92. Her $1M gift in 1997 helped put FRAXA on the map for research.
Should You Participate in a Fragile X Clinical Trial?
A Fragile X clinical trial of a new PDE4D allosteric inhibitor from Tetra Therapeutics is nearly complete. Right now there are 3 remaining spots open to males 18-45 years of age with Fragile X syndrome. Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is leading this trial. The drug being studied has a unique mechanism of action that might improve cognitive and memory function.
Meet Will!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Will! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
Thankful is an Understatement
Thanks to our incredible supporters, FRAXA met its $750K goal before 2020—proof that together, we can overcome any challenge!
31 Nights of Light with FRAXA Research Foundation
The Boston Prudential Center featured FRAXA in its 31 Nights of Light, shining bright for Fragile X awareness this December!
Boston Bruins Fans and Volunteers raise $18,500 for Fragile X Research
The Bruins Foundation selected FRAXA again for their 50/50 raffle, raising $37K during the Nov 23 game against the Minnesota Wild!
Meet Caleb!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Caleb! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
Jim Cantore Assists on an Absolutely Successful #GivingTuesday
With Jim Cantore’s help and 130+ donors, FRAXA raised $95,500 on #GivingTuesday—funding two year-long Fragile X research grants!
New Partners Aim to Accelerate the Discovery and Repurposing of Medicines for Rare Neurological Diseases
First Healx secured $56M in new financing to launch a global Rare Treatment Accelerator program to tackle Fragile X syndrome and 39 other rare diseases. Now they have built a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim worth millions. It all started with a small FRAXA grant to Healx to repurpose available drugs for Fragile X.
Meet Jed & Kit!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Jed & Kit! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
Genes & Gems Raises $56,000 for Fragile X Research!
Ohio families hosted the unforgettable Genes & Gems event on Nov 16, 2019 at the Renaissance Columbus Hotel to support FRAXA research.
Meet Jack!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Jack! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
National Institutes of Health Releases Fragile X Strategic Plan
FRAXA’s Elle Skala and supporter Mary Beth Busby visited NIH as the new Strategic Plan for Fragile X was released, shaping federal research priorities for years.
Meet Anthony!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Anthony! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
Potassium Channel Modulators to Treat Fragile X
FRAXA-backed Yale discoveries tied Fragile X to Kv3.1/Slack channel defects—leading to a partnership with Autifony to develop targeted treatments.
Meet Jagger!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Jagger! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.
A Personal Touch to Supporting Fragile X Research
As the holidays near, take a moment to make a difference. Your year-end gift to FRAXA helps change the future for Fragile X families.
Targeting Adiponectin to Treat Fragile X Syndrome
Boosting adiponectin, a hormone that regulates metabolism, may improve cognition and behavior in Fragile X. Early results suggest it can restore brain plasticity.
Biomarker Discovery and Validation for Fragile X Syndrome
This grant supported discovery of protein-based biomarkers for Fragile X to create objective outcome measures that translate from mouse studies to human trials.
Meet Matty & Jackson!
Meet #FriendofFRAXA Matty & Jackson! If you would like to nominate someone as a #FriendofFRAXA, we welcome all who have been touched by Fragile X, including friends, grandparents, siblings, professionals and companions alike to become a #FriendofFRAXA with the goal of putting a face to Fragile X for those who may not know someone directly.