News

Prepare to Light Up Buildings for Rare Disease Day 2022

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…

LEMS Case Tied to Rare Subtype of Lung Cancer 

The recent case of a man with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) linked to a rare type of lung tumor, shows the condition can arise in patients with types other than small cell lung cancer. The case report, “Pulmonary Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Associated With Lambert-Eaton Syndrome,”…

Catalyst Will Seek FDA Approval of Firdapse for Children

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals plans to file an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that the use of Firdapse (amifampridine), an approved oral therapy for adults with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), be expanded to children. The announcement came after the company received a favorable decision from…

Rare Disease Groups in US Join in Plea for Care Across State Lines

Over 230 national organizations signed a letter urging all 50 U.S. state governors to “maintain and expand” flexibility with licensure requirements for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic to ease access to care. During the pandemic, governors used emergency authority to waive certain state licensure requirements, giving healthcare providers…

RARE-X, Global Genes to Help Collect Rare Disease Patient Data

In their continued efforts to improve health equity for people with rare diseases, Global Genes and RARE-X have joined forces to help advocacy groups collect patient data and make the most of that information. “Patient data is perhaps the most valuable asset rare disease communities can leverage to…