Choose one of these three placards to complete with something about you that you feel is strong or that makes you proud. You can print the placard, write in your response, snap a photo of yourself holding it, and post to social. Or you can write in your response on the placard electronically and post to social media.

Version 1 - I am ... and I have Friedreich's ataxia.

Version 2 - I am ... and I care about rare.

Version 3 - I am ... and I support FA research.

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF), and the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) welcome the 117th Congress.
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Dear Friedreich's Ataxia Community,

We at Novartis Gene Therapies hope that you and your families have had a good start to 2021, and we would like to begin the year together by expressing that we deeply appreciate your collaboration and partnership and providing you with an update on our OAV401 program for Friedreich's ataxia (FA).

In recent months, we have been working closely with the FDA to progress OAV401 toward an Investigational New Drug (IND) application. Today, we are pleased to let you know that we expect to submit an IND by the end of 2021. An active IND will allow us to initiate the clinical investigation of OAV401 for the treatment of FA.

In other breaking news, our application for Orphan Drug Designation for OAV401 was granted by the FDA. Orphan Drug Designation is intended to facilitate and expedite drug development for rare diseases or conditions for which there are no current treatments available. We are pleased by this recognition from the FDA that we have provided sufficient scientific justification to support the clinical investigation of OAV401 for the treatment of FA.

Our FA advocacy partners are strong allies who have deepened our understanding of FA and the FA community as we advance our work on promising science with transformative potential for FA. We look forward to continuing to collaborate closely with them and the FA community broadly and commit to providing you with updates on a regular basis as we have more information available to share.

Sincerely,

The Novartis Gene Therapies OAV401 Development Team

To read more about Novartis Gene Therapies, visit: https://www.novartis.com/our-company/novartis-pharmaceuticals/novartis-gene-therapies

Dear friends,

As you will see below, 2021 is off to an active start in Friedreich's ataxia research, advocacy, and events. There are a number of enrolling clinical studies and trials, and FARA announced funding for three new grants awards. rideATAXIA just launched their new virtual campaign- the Coastal Challenge, and there are many training and engagement opportunities for Rare Disease Day at the end of the month. Below, you'll find information on all of this and more. As always, thank you for your active engagement in these efforts and our work to reach treatments and a cure for FA.

Sincerely,

Jen Farmer, Chief Executive Officer

More...

Read the Full Monthly Update
 

Dear friends,

As many of you know, FARA has prepared a letter to send to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Reata Pharmaceuticals to request that they Allow Individuals with Friedreich Ataxia Access to Omaveloxolone.
Read and Sign on to the letter
This letter requests Reata to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) on an urgent basis and FDA to exercise the flexibility granted by law and contained in FDA guidance in considering approval of an NDA for Omaveloxolone in FA based on the existing evidence from clinical trials.

In just four days, you have facilitated over 25,000 signatures in support of this letter! We are grateful to everyone who has signed the letter, especially members of our FA families who make up 23% of respondents. The statements and photos shared by FA families will be instrumental in drawing attention to the patient experience and voice. If you have not signed onto the letter, you can do so up until January 20th. The entire FA community (individuals with FA, family, friends, caregivers, supporters, other rare disease advocates) is invited to sign on.

More...

Read the Full Monthly Update