Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Aeterna Zentaris, in collaboration with the University of Sheffield, in the U.K., selected AEZS-150 as its lead candidate for primary hypoparathyroidism and will begin formal preclinical studies to assess its therapeutic potential. Data from this preclinical program may support the future launch of the first clinical trial to…

People who develop chronic hypoparathyroidism following surgery to remove the thyroid gland have significantly poorer quality of life than those whose surgery does not permanently damage the neighboring parathyroid glands, a Danish study shows. Notably, hypoparathyroidism’s negative affect on life was independent of the drop in thyroid-related hormones (hypothyroidism) due…

A single dose of AZP-3601 — Amolyt Pharma’s experimental therapy for hypoparathyroidism — resulted in a significant, sustained increase in blood calcium levels for at least 24 hours in healthy volunteers, according to interim data from a Phase 1 trial. These early findings support the therapeutic potential of…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to AZP-3601, an investigational therapy for hypoparathyroidism by Amolyt Pharma. The designation is given to treatment candidates with the potential to be safe and effective in rare diseases, defined in the U.S as those affecting fewer than…

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a type of immune therapy used to treat some cancers, may lead to the development of immune-related hypoparathyroidism, according to a case report. Although rare, this case adds to three other similar cases and to an increasing number of reports describing immune-related hormone diseases…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

Having a greater than 65% drop in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels on the first day after a total thyroid removal increases the likelihood of developing transient calcium deficiency, or hypocalcemia, according to a single-center study in China. People with hypocalcemia have lower than normal levels in their blood…

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) recently launched Skeletal Rare Diseases Academy, recognizing two researchers with awards for their work in hypoparathyroidism-associated bone changes and pregnancy outcomes. The awards, intended to recognize research excellence among young scientists in the field of rare bone disorders, were announced recently during…

People with hypoparathyrodism have significantly higher blood pressure and stiffness of blood arteries — two known risk factors for cardiovascular disease — than their healthy peers, a Turkish study shows. The research also highlighted that older age and abnormally high levels of phosphorus were associated with increased arterial…