News

Naturally occurring canine models of several types of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), also known as Batten disease, may aid in the development of new effective therapies for these conditions, according to a review study. The study, “Canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: Promising models for preclinical testing of…

With the U.S. midterm elections now less than two weeks away, patient advocacy groups are solidly focused on a range of hot-button issues, from the Orphan Drug Tax Creditand affordable health insurance to future funding for rare disease research. Yet “whether Democrats take over the House or Senate, or…

A genetic deletion in the CLN3 gene impairs the normal function of genes involved in the production of a type of fat critical for nerve cell growth and survival in the brain, a mouse study has found. The study, “Altered Expression of Ganglioside Metabolizing Enzymes Results in GM3 Ganglioside Accumulation in…

Using a species of amoeba as a model organism, researchers have found chemical modifications in the CLN5 protein — whose mutated form is associated with late infantile Batten disease — that allow it to be released outside a cell. According to the team from Trent University in Canada, their findings…

Researchers have identified eight potential biomarkers of disease severity, progression and treatment response in children with late infantile Batten disease. Considering the nature of these biomarkers, the team suggested that these patients may have a disease-associated brain energetic deficit that could drive neurodegeneration. The study, “Untargeted…

Chemical compounds similar to flupirtine can effectively prevent cell death in Batten disease patient-derived cell lines, a study reports. These findings provide the first preclinical evidence pointing toward the therapeutic effects of such compounds and could be the first step in establishing potential treatments for Batten disease in both…

CLN3, the protein lacking in the juvenile form of Batten disease (CLN3 disease), is involved in maintaining water balance, which is key for cell survival and growth, according to a recent study. Findings from the study also highlight a link between CLN3 and CLN2 — a protein that, when mutated, causes…

Half a year has gone by since disgraced pharma executive Martin Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for securities and wire fraud while heading San Diego-based Retrophin. As founder and CEO of another company (then known as Turing Pharmaceuticals), in late 2015 Shkreli bought the rights…

Caspase-1 — an enzyme involved in several cellular processes, including inflammatory responses — is a potential therapeutic target to revert some of the features of CLN3 disease, the juvenile form of Batten disease, according to a mouse study. The study, “Caspase 1 activity influences juvenile Batten disease (CLN3)…

Amicus Therapeutics has gained global development and commercial rights to 10 gene therapy programs for lysosomal storage disorders, including three potential first-to-market therapies for Batten disease. This pipeline expansion resulted from the acquisition of Celenex, a clinical stage gene therapy company. “The in-licensing and acquisition of these gene therapy programs…