News

Cash-strapped governments across the 28-member European Union are struggling to control runaway healthcare expenditures — at exactly the same time as the promise of new but expensive therapies to treat rare diseases has never been greater. That’s the paradox faced by pharmaceutical companies as well as patient advocacy groups in…

Patients with hypoparathyroidism who experience severe symptoms and a low quality of life, despite receiving regular medication, would consider a parathyroid transplant as an appealing treatment option, a study has found. The study, “Patients’ views about parathyroid transplantation for post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism,…

Alizé Pharma 3, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for rare diseases, including hypoparathyroidism, is making efforts to become a leading company focusing on rare endocrine and metabolic diseases. The company will establish operations in Europe and North America to achieve faster global regulatory approvals for leading candidate…

Maintaining serum calcium levels within the low normal reference range, checking them closely, and assuring a coordinated approach among health professionals are among the recommendations for pregnant women with hypoparathyroidism, according to a review study. The study, “Hypoparathyroidism in Pregnancy: Review and Evidence Based Recommendations for Management,”…

Entera Bio’s investigational parathyroid hormone compound called Oral PTH (1-34) appears to be able to increase calcium levels in patients with hypoparathyroidism, interim results from a Phase 2 trial show. It can also increase blood levels of active vitamin D and reduce phosphate levels — two other hallmarks…

People with chronic hypoparathyroidism are at higher risk of developing other illnesses — including heart disease, stroke, infections, and epilepsy — than the general population, especially those whose disease did not result from neck surgery,  a study finds. The study, “Increased Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A population…

With the U.S. midterm elections now less than two weeks away, patient advocacy groups are solidly focused on a range of hot-button issues, from the Orphan Drug Tax Creditand affordable health insurance to future funding for rare disease research. Yet “whether Democrats take over the House or Senate, or…

Advanced age does not increase the risk of postoperative complications in patients older than 70 who undergo a total thyroidectomy — a surgical procedure that removes the entire thyroid gland — a prospective study shows. The study, “Advanced age does not increase morbidity after total thyroidectomy. Result of…

A renowned expert on metabolic bone disorders, including hypoparathyroidism, Michael A. Levine’s groundbreaking professional achievements earned him the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) 2018 Frederic C. Bartter Award. Levine, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and medical director of the Center for Bone Health at Children’s Hospital…

Half a year has gone by since disgraced pharma executive Martin Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for securities and wire fraud while heading San Diego-based Retrophin. As founder and CEO of another company (then known as Turing Pharmaceuticals), in late 2015 Shkreli bought the rights…