MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

The Albers Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital combines chemical biology, genetics, and computational methods to study neurodegenerative diseases. They are involved in the NADALS Basket Trial and the TRIALS clinical trial program, repurposing FDA-approved drugs for ALS. A machine learning predictor, DRIAD, is being updated to include TDP-43 pathology for ALS progression prediction, with plans to make the tool open source for global ALS research.

In a phase III trial, inebilizumab (Uplizna) showed efficacy in reducing disease flares in patients with IgG4-related disease, achieving complete flare-free remission in 57% of patients compared to 22% in the placebo group. However, serious adverse events were twice as common with inebilizumab, necessitating longer-term safety data.

Precision psychiatry, leveraging big data and machine learning, tailors treatments to individual patient needs, potentially revolutionizing behavioral health by improving outcomes and reducing treatment-resistant depression. Despite challenges in data management and adoption, experts predict widespread implementation within the next decade.

Sitting over 10.6 hours daily increases heart disease and death risk, even with recommended exercise, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Acepodia receives FDA IND clearance for ACE1831, an allogeneic gamma delta T cell therapy targeting CD20 in IgG4-RD, to be studied in collaboration with Pfizer Ignite.

A phase 3 trial found inebilizumab significantly reduced symptoms of IgG4-RD, a rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 in the U.S., compared to placebo, reducing flare risk by 87%. The treatment, which depletes CD19-expressing B cells, may increase infection risk and requires careful monitoring.

A $74.5 million NIH grant funds a 5-year Alzheimer's prevention study in Colombia, targeting carriers of the PSEN1 E280A mutation. Led by Banner Alzheimer's Institute and the University of Antioquia, the study aims to remove amyloid plaques using Eli Lilly's donanemab and evaluate different prevention methods. Enrollment begins in fall 2025.

A Mass General Brigham study found inebilizumab reduced IgG4-RD symptoms by 87%, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Eledon Pharmaceuticals' tegoprubart, an anti-CD40L antibody, shows promise in Type 1 diabetes treatment and organ transplantation, potentially offering a safer immunosuppressive alternative to traditional drugs like tacrolimus.

SmartCardia received FDA clearance for its 7-lead live ECG monitoring patch and cloud platform, enabling continuous outpatient cardiac telemetry for up to 14 days. The platform offers real-time ECG analysis and notifications for arrhythmias, with CE Class IIa approval in Europe and global expansion plans.