There's encouraging news for those of us with rare diseases: The Boston Globe reports today that pharmaceutical companies are devoting more resources to developing treatments for less-common disorders and diseases that affect mostly minority populations. Robert Weisman writes:
The trend, which is slowly gaining momentum, is being driven by several factors, including the emergence of “personalized’’ medicines based on an individual’s genetic makeup, and the success of companies such as Genzyme Corp. that already specialize in making drugs to treat rare diseases.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis AG is developing drugs for as many as 40 rare diseases from tuberous sclerosis to spinal muscular atrophy as well as medicines for diseases seen in the developing world, such as liver cancer and infectious illnesses.
Via White Coat Notes
