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www.fdanews.com/articles/175764-az-lands-orphan-drug-designation-for-neuromyelitis-optica-drug

AZ Lands Orphan Drug Designation for Neuromyelitis Optica Drug

March 16, 2016

AstraZeneca’s MedImmune unit has secured orphan drug status for MEDI-551, for treatment of neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Patients with NMO and NMOSD produce antibodies that target a protein called aquaporin-4. MEDI-551 pinpoints and eliminates these antibodies, the company says.

NMO affects about five in 100,000 people, and there is currently no cure.