News

New Institute Aims to Leave No Rare Disease Patient Behind

A newly launched non-profit institute is seeking to advance research, and the development of new therapies, for people with rare diseases — a patient community with some of the largest therapeutic needs, but one that is often left behind. Named the Institute for Life Changing Medicines, the project was…

Low-alcohol Red Wine Reduced PAH Symptoms in Rats

Regularly consuming low-alcohol red wine reduced signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a rat model of the disease, a study shows. “The results of this study suggest that chronic moderate consumption of RARW [reduced-alcohol red wine] or its components may represent a promising new protective strategy to limit…

Bayer Doles Out $1M of Its PHAB Awards to 7 Research Projects

As part of the company’s Pulmonary Hypertension Accelerated Bayer (PHAB) Awards, Bayer is giving a total of $1 million to seven research projects related to pulmonary hypertension. The awards are aimed at projects focused on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), which makes the…

Apabetalone Fares Well in Early Clinical Trial

Apabetalone (RVX-208), Resverlogix‘s experimental treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), was well-tolerated in a small clinical trial, the company announced. The trial met its primary goal of adding apabetalone to standard care to improve pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), a measure that reflects the internal resistance to blood…

Group Focuses on Rare Disease Clinical Trial Participation

Participation in clinical trials exposes rare disease patients to financial, physical, and emotional pressures, according to the results of a patient focus group series. “Rare disease trial participants are running an endurance race they are highly motivated to complete, but these incremental burdens negatively impact their ability or willingness to…

Using Oxygen Aids Exercise in PH-HFpEF Patients Without Hypoxemia

Breathing oxygen-enriched air can significantly improve exercise performance in people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) linked to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), including those who might not use supplemental oxygen, according to a small clinical study. Better blood-oxygen levels and more efficient breathing (exchange of carbon dioxide and…

Breast Milk Linked to Better Heart Health in Premature Babies

For premature babies who are at high risk of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and other cardiovascular complications, consuming human breast milk in the first year of life is associated with better heart function, a new study found. “Preterm infants have abnormal heart function,” Afif EL-Khuffash, MD, the study’s lead author, said…

Low Oxygen Increases Chloride Levels in PASMCs in Animal Study

Higher levels of chloride in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) may contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) after exposure to low oxygen (hypoxia), a study in a rat model suggested. The study, “Increased intracellular Cl− concentration in pulmonary arterial myocytes is associated with chronic hypoxic…