Tofacitinib for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Edasalonexent is currently in clinical development for the treatment of male paediatric patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a rare genetic condition caused by a mistake or abnormality in a gene called dystrophin, located on the X chromosome (one of the two sex chromosomes). Chromosomes are tiny structures inside cells made from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and proteins. Males have one X chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes. As males have one X chromosome, DMD is much more common in males. DMD is fatal condition with no cure. It causes progressive muscle weakness and often leads to loss of walking ability by the age of twelve, as well as problems with the heart and lungs. Current treatment options only target a particular mistake or abnormality and focus on slowing progression of the disease.

Vosoritide is in clinical development for the treatment of achondroplasia. Achondroplasia represents the most common form of short-limb dwarfism, a condition where the bones in the arms and legs do not form properly and are shorter than normal. Patients with achondroplasia have a short stature, an enlarged head with a prominent forehead, bowed legs, ear problems, respiratory issues, compression of the spinal cord, as well as short fingers, toes, lower legs and upper arms. No pharmacologic therapies have been approved for achondroplasia in the EU.

Garetosmab is in clinical development for the prevention of abnormal bone formation, outside of the normal skeleton (heterotopic ossification), and soft-tissue flare-ups in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). FOP is a very rare disease caused by a mutation in the gene ACVR1. The mutation results in the formation of unwanted bone in muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body. Abnormal, misplaced and mis-shapen (heterotopic) bone can bridge across joints causing immobility, scoliosis, and other deformities. Patients usually require a wheelchair by the time they reach their 20s. Death often results in the 40s from complications, such as pneumonia, heart failure and loss of mobility in the chest, neck and jaw.

Palovarotene is in clinical development for episodic use in the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). FOP is a disabling condition, caused by the formation of bony bars within the muscles of the body (HO). This bone formation is usually first noticed in early childhood as a series of hard lumps in the neck or along the spine. These lumps, which may be tender, gradually shrink in size as the affected muscles are replaced by bone. The appearance of bony lumps in muscles is usually spontaneous but can also be provoked by any injury to the muscles.