Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

FDA decision on sotatercept for PAH expected in March

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review an application seeking approval of sotatercept as a treatment for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The FDA has given the application priority review, shortening the review time from the usual 10 months to six months. A decision…

Approval decision on Yutrepia for PH-ILD expected in January

Note: This story was updated Jan. 30, 2024, to correct the approved indications of available treprostinil formulations. Amid ongoing litigation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review an application from Liquidia that seeks to extend the approval of Yutrepia — an inhaled dry powder…

Experimental therapy targets PAH-driving serotonin receptor

Treatment with VU6047534, an experimental therapy that blocks the activity of a specific type of serotonin receptor, reduced strain on the heart in a mouse model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a new study. The study, “Development of a Peripherally Restricted 5-HT2B Partial Agonist for Treatment…

Sotatercept improves blood flow, heart health in PAH: STELLAR trial

Treatment with sotatercept in addition to standard pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapies significantly improved measures of heart health for adults with the disease, according to a new analysis of the STELLAR trial. Results from the Phase 3 trial had already shown the therapy enhanced walking abilities in the participants…

Janssen stops Phase 3 trial testing high-dose Opsumit in CTEPH

A Phase 3 clinical trial testing high-dose Opsumit (macitentan) in people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has ended early after an analysis showed the treatment is unlikely to help patients. The announcement was made in a press release from Janssen, the company that markets Opsumit. Opsumit…

Tenax receives patent for TNX-103, oral levosimendan, for PH-HFpEF

Tenax Therapeutics has been issued a U.S. patent covering oral levosimendan, also known as TNX-103, for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF). The patent (U.S. Patent No. 11,701,355) is expected to provide intellectual property protection for TNX-103 through December 2040.

Liquidia licenses rights in North America to inhaled L606 for PH

Liquidia has licensed the rights in North America to L606, a novel inhaled formulation of treprostinil that’s being tested in trials of people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). “L606 is the perfect life-cycle complement to our pipeline and…

Janssen seeks approval in Europe for PAH combination therapy tablet

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has submitted an application in Europe asking regulatory authorities to approve the company’s combination therapy of macitentan and tadalafil — developed as a single tablet — for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The filing comes less than a month after Janssen submitted a similar application seeking approval…