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

Gene therapy applied as eye drops improves vision for boy with DEB

The gene therapy beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC), applied directly as eye drops, improved the vision in a boy with eye scarring related to recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), according to a case report. “Our data support further investigation of B-VEC in the care of patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with…

FDA review of RDEB cell therapy pz-cel remains on schedule

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s review of pz-cel (prademagene zamikeracel), a gene-corrected cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), is progressing on schedule. The therapy’s developer Abeona Therapeutics announced it had conducted a biologics license application (BLA) mid-cycle meeting with the FDA and the agency…

2 arthritis medications may help relieve itching for DEB patients

Treatment with baricitinib or upadacitinib, two approved medications for rheumatoid arthritis, may be effective for relieving itching in some people with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). That’s according to a small study from Korea in which these medicines were found to reduce patient-rated itch severity scores — in some, by…

FDA approves Filsuvez to treat dystrophic and junctional EB

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Filsuvez (birch triterpenes) to treat skin wounds in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) or junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) ages 6 months or older. The announcement makes Filsuvez the first FDA-approved therapy for JEB, according to Chiesi Global…

FDA approval decision expected in May on RDEB cell therapy pz-cel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review to an application seeking approval of pz-cel (prademagene zamikeracel) — a cell therapy previously known as EB-101 — for people with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Granting priority review shortens the time it will take the agency to…

EB Research Partnership raises more than $5M in October

EB Research Partnership (EBRP), an organization dedicated to funding research into treatments for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), has raised more than $5 million through a three-day series of events in October. The outcome is “beyond what we could have ever imagined,” Michael Hund, CEO of EBRP, said in a…

Itch is common in RDEB; available treatments don’t help much

Itch is a common symptom with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) and available treatments are generally inadequate for managing it. That’s according to “Itch in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: findings of PEBLES, a prospective register study,” published in the Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. “The…

Paradigm Therapeutics acquires rights to SD-101 cream

Paradigm Therapeutics has acquired worldwide rights to SD-101, an investigational cream that’s being developed as a whole-body therapy to promote wound healing and ease pain and itching in all forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The company now plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…

Biological therapies may help manage hard-to-treat EBA

The use of biological anti-inflammatory therapies effectively controlled epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) in four people with the disease, a recent study reports. “According to our clinical experience and literature data in severe EBA cases with rapid progress, biologicals should be considered promptly,” the researchers wrote. They added that the…

Abeona provides new data to FDA on EB-101 ahead of meeting

Abeona Therapeutics has submitted a data briefing package on its cell therapy candidate EB-101 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ahead of a meeting with the agency planned for this month. The meeting’s purpose is to discuss Abeona’s planned application seeking approval of EB-101 to treat recessive …

Skin stem cell therapy helped prevent new wounds in RDEB

People with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) developed fewer new wounds after getting treatment with skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells, a new clinical trial analysis shows. The treatment also led to newly developed wounds healing more quickly, and healed wounds more frequently remained closed. The study, “Kinetics of…