Posts by: Forest Ray PhD

Forest Ray PhD

Forest Ray received his PhD in systems biology from Columbia University, where he developed tools to match drug side effects to other diseases. He has since worked as a journalist and science writer, covering topics from rare diseases to the intersection between environmental science and social justice. He currently lives in Long Beach, California.

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Gates Foundation, Novartis Working on Affordable Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell

News

Novartis and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are collaborating to develop a single-shot gene therapy that would cure sickle cell disease (SCD) without the need to engineer cells outside ... Read more

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccines Pose Little Risk to Rare Disease Patients, FDA, CDC Say

News, syndicated

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to ... Read more

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020

CSL889 Designated as Orphan Drug in Europe and US for Treating Sickle Cell Disease

News

The European Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have granted orphan drug status to CSL889, an investigational therapy for the treatment of acute vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in sickle ... Read more

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

Siklos, Hydroxyurea-based Treatment for Pediatric SCD, Available in 100 mg Scored Tablets

News

Siklos (hydroxyurea) — indicated for the treatment of children 2 and older with sickle cell disease — is now available in 100 mg scored tablets, in addition to the 1,000 ... Read more

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020

GreenLight Wins $3.3M Grant to Pursue mRNA-based Gene Therapies

News

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $3.3 million grant to GreenLight Biosciences to develop gene therapies revolving around messenger RNA (mRNA) — the intermediate molecule between DNA ... Read more

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

Genetic Differences Seen to Mirror Sickle Cell Severity in African Study

News

Genetic analyses of African patients identified several genes and biological pathways that are associated with disease severity and longevity, and that might serve as new therapeutic targets in sickle cell ... Read more

September 7, 2020September 8, 2020

‘Brain-Gut Axis’ May Be What Links Stress and Crises in SCD Patients

News

Microbes in the gut play a key role in inducing vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in response to stress, a study in mice suggests. Stress is known to trigger VOCs in people ... Read more

September 2, 2020September 2, 2020

Same But Different Photo Contest Celebrates People With Rare Diseases

News, syndicated

Same But Different, a U.K. nonprofit that uses the arts to bring communities together, is holding a calendar photography competition to raise awareness for rare diseases. Under the theme “A ... Read more

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020

Xperiome Platform Aims to Streamline Searches for Rare Diseases, Gain Patient Input

News, syndicated

Raremark, an online rare disease patient community, has launched a digital platform called Xperiome, aimed at streamlining the search for new medicines for rare disorders and incorporating more patient input ... Read more

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020

Emergency Care Often Not Ideal for Sickle Cell Patients in US, Survey Finds

News

Most people with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the U.S. are satisfied with their primary care practitioners, but less so with emergency care given at a hospital to manage severe ... Read more