Professor Andrew Dick has been appointed as the next Dean of the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, taking up the role in September 2026. A leading specialist in eye disease and ocular immunology, he succeeds Professor Alan Thompson, who has served as Dean since the faculty was established in 2011. Professor Dick currently holds the…
Efgartigimod approved for seronegative myasthenia gravis patients
The US Food and Drug Administration has expanded approval of efgartigimod alfa-fcab, marketed as Vyvgart, to include adults with acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) seronegative generalised Myasthenia gravis. The decision makes it the first FcRn-targeted therapy approved for this previously underserved patient group. The updated licence means the treatment can now be prescribed to all adult…
NICE recommends givinostat for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has recommended Givinostat for use on the NHS in England as a treatment option for some people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, marking another milestone for patients living with the rare inherited condition. Under final draft guidance, NICE said the treatment can be offered to patients aged six…
Landmark FDA approval expands Ocrevus use to children with RRMS
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) for children aged 10 years and older with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), marking only the second therapy formally approved for paediatric MS in the United States. The decision applies to children and adolescents weighing at least 25kg and is being described by Genentech as…
Ocrevus slows disability progression in advanced PPMS, trial finds
New clinical trial data suggest that Ocrevus can significantly slow disability progression in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, including those who are older and have more advanced disease. The findings provide important evidence for a broader group of patients who were previously underrepresented in trials. Results from the Phase 3 ORATORIO-HAND trial were presented…
MS cases rise in England as survival improves but inequalities remain
Multiple sclerosis diagnoses have increased significantly in England over the past two decades, while advances in care and earlier diagnosis have improved survival rates. However, new research highlights that social inequalities continue to influence outcomes, with people in more deprived areas facing higher mortality. The study, led by researchers at University College London and published…
How gut bacteria could trigger memory loss as we age
Scientists are uncovering new evidence that changes in gut bacteria may play a direct role in age-related memory loss. A recent study published in Nature by researchers at the Arc Institute in California suggests that specific microbes in the gut could influence brain function through immune and neural pathways. The research team, led by Christoph…
EU backs Itvisma gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy
European regulators have recommended approval of Itvisma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, marking another step forward in the development of advanced treatments for rare neuromuscular diseases. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion on 23 April 2026, supporting the granting of a marketing authorisation for the therapy. As…
Sanofi secures EU backing for tolebrutinib in multiple sclerosis after setbacks
Sanofi has received a significant boost for its multiple sclerosis treatment tolebrutinib after European regulators recommended the drug for approval, marking a turnaround following previous clinical and regulatory challenges. The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has endorsed tolebrutinib for patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis who have not experienced relapses…
Reframing dementia through design with disappearing ink
Dementia remains the leading cause of death in the UK, yet public understanding of the condition is still shaped by stigma and limited communication. A new design-led publication titled 4,4,4&2 seeks to address this gap by offering a creative, experience-based way of understanding cognitive decline through the use of disappearing ink. Developed by creative studio…
