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Dear Noventia Pharma Team, We are families affected by Lafora disease who are holding on to hope through your work. Your dedication to developing a treatment for Lafora means everything to us. We were excited when you shared the news of the ION283 license purchase and your intentions to create a clinical trial last year, but we are anxiously awaiting more details. We know that any future progress with ION283 will come from your company, so we kindly request a public update on what is next for the drug’s development after the safety study at UTSW. As you know, the current ION283 safety study includes only 10 children. While we are grateful this study is happening, many more families were heartbroken to learn our children could not participate. These families are now left waiting, watching their children’s condition progress, and praying for the next opportunity. We are counting on Noventia to help make that opportunity possible. For many of us, your work is the only hope we have left. Our children do not have time to wait. Lafora disease is aggressive and unforgiving—we are pleading for a chance to save our children’s lives. We desperately urge Noventia to share your plans and move forward quickly with a clinical trial or expanded access program so more children can receive this potentially life-saving treatment. You have our full support in this mission, and we are willing to assist however we can.

Open Letter to Noventia

July 3, 2025/by Chelsea's Hope

Dear Noventia Pharma Team,

We are families affected by Lafora disease who are holding on to hope through your work. Your dedication to developing a treatment for Lafora means everything to us. We were excited when you shared the news of the ION283 license purchase and your intentions to create a clinical trial last year, but we are anxiously awaiting more details. We know that any future progress with ION283 will come from your company, so we kindly request a public update on what is next for the drug’s development after the safety study at UTSW.

As you know, the current ION283 safety study includes only 10 children. While we are grateful this study is happening, many more families were heartbroken to learn our children could not participate. These families are now left waiting, watching their children’s condition progress, and praying for the next opportunity. We are counting on Noventia to help make that opportunity possible.

For many of us, your work is the only hope we have left. Our children do not have time to wait. Lafora disease is aggressive and unforgiving—we are pleading for a chance to save our children’s lives. We desperately urge Noventia to share your plans and move forward quickly with a clinical trial or expanded access program so more children can receive this potentially life-saving treatment. You have our full support in this mission, and we are willing to assist however we can.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could share any updates with us or join our community for a Q&A. Some of our questions include:

  • How soon would expanded access be available for those not included in the trial?
  • What will be the initial phase of the clinical trial conducted by Noventia?
  • Which international sites will be involved?
  • Are those sites accredited to conduct a clinical trial?

We look forward to your prompt response and a clear outline of Noventia’s intentions regarding ION283. We are grateful for everything you do for the rare disease community and remain hopeful that Noventia will act swiftly to help more families in this fight against Lafora disease.

With hope,

The Lafora patient community

Patient organizations:

 
Asociacion CEL LUZ logo
Chelsea's Hope Lafora Children Research Fund

Lafora warriors and their families:

Hanifa Ishaque

Maggie Blatz

Anthony Caycho

Durmisevic Amar

Camila Bicca Oliveira

Caroline Bicca Oliveira

Prakash

Dr. Sagheer Hanif

Zarana Rathod

Tammie

Gonzalo Bruquetas

أم حسین الطباطبائي

Samy Sharif

Gladi Gidanian

Bilal Bhat

Bies Mahabier

Jamie Hennon

Marianne Rodriquez

Marina Weiss & Gajic Family

Georgianna

Spiros Georgakis

Paola Pacca

Romina Varesi

Silvana Parlato

Sami Memon

Marija Mrvosevic

Colleen Baumgartner-Hirsh

Simona Fochetti

Joan Monda

Babeth Letort

Jenifer Merriam

Recai yıldız

Marija Novakovic

Veronique Gadomski

Pierre Gadomski

Nuray yıldız

Fatos Malaj

Maha Hashim Alansari

Carmine Lettieri

Moniqueca Barfield

Jette Daubjerg

Elpida Georgaki

Nadira Belalouache

Fasal Alansari

Nora Belalouache

Hodosy Karol & Hodosy Viola Sheila Barter

Cheryl Bentley

Nicoletta Berti

Jette Daubjerg

Vanessa Lucas

Christophe Lucas

Kim Rice MD

Jim Rice MD

Tanja Weber

Antonello Giorgino

Daryoosh Moghaddam

Muhammad Malik

Mara Gerloni

Pasquale Esposito

Andi Müller

Anantha & Gopalakrishnan T

Korina Georgaki

 

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About Chelsea’s Hope

Chelsea’s Hope began as a website in the fall of 2007 to share Chelsea Gerber’s story with family and friends. A 501(c)(3) organization since 2009, we have made an impact by raising awareness, connecting families worldwide, funding research, and maintaining hope.

Our mission is to improve the lives of those affected by Lafora disease and help accelerate the development of treatments. [Read More]

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The mission of Chelsea’s Hope is to improve the lives of those affected by Lafora disease and help accelerate the development of treatments.

Chelsea’s Hope Lafora Children Research Fund is an IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. EIN: 27-1008382

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