Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

Lindsey earned her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in Atlanta, where she studied novel therapeutic strategies for treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy. She was awarded a fellowship from the American Epilepsy Society in 2019 for this research. Lindsey also previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher, studying the role of inflammation in epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.

Articles by Lindsey Shapiro

Vyjuvek wins approval in Europe for DEB patients from birth

The European Commission has approved the topical gene therapy Vyjuvek (beremagene geperpavec) to treat wounds, starting at birth in people with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) who have disease-causing mutations in the COL7A1 gene. The decision, which applies to all European Union countries, and includes Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein,…

Filsuvez leads to sustained DEB, JEB wound burden reductions

Long-term treatment with Filsuvez (birch triterpenes) was well tolerated and associated with sustained reductions in wound burden for people with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) and junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). That’s according to final two-year data from the open-label phase (OLP) of the Phase 3 EASE trial…

EB patients report high psychosocial health burden in interviews

In interviews, people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) reported that living with these rare skin diseases has broad impacts on their psychosocial health. This burden was seen across physical, emotional, social, and functional domains, per the study, conducted in Europe. According to the researchers, the findings emphasize the importance of…

Certain COL7A1 mutations linked to more severe RDEB in study

Researchers have developed a framework for categorizing the severity of mutations in the COL7A1 gene that cause recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) which could eventually be used to better inform clinical care. Patients categorized as having so-called “high-impact” mutations in a recent study were found to be at an…

Blocking Notch signaling pathway could ease RDEB scarring: Study

Blocking the Notch signaling pathway — key to cell-to-cell communication — was found to significantly ease signs of fibrosis, or excessive scar tissue buildup, in skin cells from people with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) in a new study from Italy. According to the researchers, Notch signaling was elevated…

Healiva and C4U to team up on new gene editing therapy for EB

Healiva and C4U will collaborate to develop a next-generation gene editing therapy — focusing on new technology to correct gene mutations — for epidermolysis bullosa (EB) patients, who are sometimes known as butterfly children for their fragile skin. Combining C4U’s expertise in gene editing technology and Healiva’s…