FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Alexander Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Zanvastro (zilganersen) injection for the treatment of Alexander disease in pediatric and adult patients. Zanvastro is the first FDA-approved treatment for Alexander disease and the first therapy to directly target the protein buildup that drives the disease.“For patients with Alexander disease and their families, there have been no approved treatment options — only supportive care while the disease progresses,” said Emily Freilich, M.D., Director of the Division of Neurology I in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval is a landmark moment for this community, offering the first therapy that addresses the underly...