medical research

Urology in the Lab: Researchers link EBV to Multiple Sclerosis

Urology in the Lab starts off with data from a study that very strongly implicates Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as the causative agent underlying multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease that often finds its way into the urology clinic due to neurogenic bladder that can develop during the course of disease. Read more.

Urology Times, November 27, 2023

spine anatomy

Dignify Therapeutics Receives NIH Award for Preclinical and Clinical Development of a Novel, On-Demand, Voiding Therapy

Dignify Therapeutics LLC, a pharmaceutical and medical device development company focused on restoring bladder and bowel control for people with spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and the elderly, was awarded the prestigious Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This 4-year award provides over $4 million in funding to support preclinical and clinical development of the Company’s lead drug candidate, DTI-117, to treat bladder and bowel dysfunction. “This new award exemplifies the foresight of, and commitment from, the NIH to develop treatments for bladder and bowel dysfunction in people suffering from these conditions” said company President and Principal Investigator, Dr. Ed Burgard. “This award will provide funds for an IND submission and a subsequent clinical trial for DTI-117”. Read more.

Source: Dignify Therapeutics website, February 27, 2023

product approval introduction

Ipsen Receives Positive Opinion In Europe for Dysport® In the Management of Urinary Incontinence In Adults With Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity Due to Multiple Sclerosis or Spinal Cord Injury

Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) today announced that Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) has received positive opinion in Europe for the management of urinary incontinence (UI) in adults with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) due to spinal cord injury (SCI) (traumatic or non-traumatic) or multiple sclerosis (MS), who are regularly performing clean intermittent catheterization (CIC).  This positive opinion for Dysport® now permits individual European country Health Authorities to grant national approvals, according to their country regulations.  In addition, Ipsen is also currently in the process of obtaining approvals in other countries outside the European Union. Read more.

Source: Globe Newswire, June 9, 2022

spine anatomy

Astellas Wins Expanded Label to Include Pediatric Use for Oral Solifenacin in the EU

Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma (TYO: 4503) has been awarded EU approval for its neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) therapy solifenacin succinate in oral suspension form. The drug is indicated for children aged 2 to 18 years.  NDO is a bladder dysfunction in which increased storage pressure can put the upper urinary tract at risk of deterioration.  Commonly observed in patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, it causes urinary incontinence in approximately 50% of MS patients. Read more.

Source: The Pharma Letter, March 9, 2018

CompactCath

CompactCath, a Discreet, Compact, Hygienic Urinary Catheter Cleared in EU

The San Francisco Bay Area may be best known for information technology startups, but there are other small companies around that develop very different technologies. CompactCath has created a urinary catheter that solves some of the persistent issues that users of such devices have to face every day, and the company just announced that its eponymous device received CE Mark approval in Europe. About a year ago the CompactCath received FDA clearance. Read more.

Source: Medgadget, December 13, 2017

A Neurogenic Bladder Due to Marfan Syndrome

My Story – Submitted by: Carl

I first noticed urinary leakage in January, 1985, and simply changed my pjs and underwear. However, within weeks, I found myself changing my underwear several times each day, and staining my bed sheets. After my first accident, I panicked, went to my PCP, and was referred to the first of a series of urologists, none of whom took my situation seriously. The urinary pain began almost simultaneously with the onset of the incontinence, though the spasms were infrequent and not really painful; they were just bad enough to get my attention. I joined the Simon Foundation and through it discovered folks, whom I later discovered to be AB/DL, who patiently taught me much of what I would need to know to get through life as an incontinent. Though I am not one of their number, I owe them much.Continue reading

Neurogenic Bladder

Drawing of a brain, spinal cord, and bladder

Damage to nerves may cause a neurogenic bladder.

Injuries, surgeries, diseases and birth defects may affect the how the body’s nerves work … or don’t work! Some medical conditions that commonly affect how our nerves work include Spina bifida, Multiple sclerosis (MS), Type 1 and 2 Diabetes, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), Parkinson’s disease, and stroke. And each of these conditions may create a neurogenic bladder.  A neurogenic bladder is a disorder of the lower urinary tract that is the result of damage to — or diseases of — the nervous system leading to a loss of voluntary control of your bladder.  Continue reading