Courage in Care Lafora Caregiver Series Pediatric to Adult Care Transition Presented by Tuba Rashid Khan, MD, MPH, EdM

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Lafora Therapy Q&A ResourcesLafora Therapy Development Pathway This pathway does not guarantee therapy approval, but instead shows the necessary steps a therapy must go through to become available to patients. Discovery & Early Development Early Preclinical Testing Advanced Preclinical Steps Human Safety Study & Dose Escalation Efficacy Study Regulatory Review Continued Monitoring Therapies are designed, synthesized, and evaluated for purity and stability. Therapies are tested in cells or mouse models to demonstrate safety and efficacy. Therapies are tested in animal models to validate the delivery method, dosing levels and dosing frequency A Phase I clinical study focuses on demonstrating safety in patients and finding an effective dosage. A Phase II/Ill study focuses on proving the therapy meaningfully slows or halts disease progression Review of data from the clinical trials by agencies such as the FDA are required before therapy approval. After approval, therapies may continue to be monitored for safety, effectiveness, and long-term outcomes. VAL-1221 Brain delivery is a major limitation, and therapy is currently not moving forward as an active Lafora disease therapy. Next-Generation Enzyme Fusion Therapies Preclinical work is focused on improving delivery to the brain using IV administration. EPM2A/EPM2B Gene Therapy Preclinical research to replace the mutated genes causing Lafora disease. Currently needing to complete toxicology (safety) studies Amylase Gene Therapy Preclinical work in progress to confirm amylase expression in cells and the ability to clear Lafora bodies (efficacy). VAL-0417 A preclinical enzyme-fusion therapy designed to help clear existing Lafora bodies. ICV delivery is being tested to confirm the drug reaches the brain before it can advance to the clinic. ION283 The current safety study has 10 patients who have received low levels the drug with no major safety issues. They are now in the dose escalation phase determine an effective dose.Chelsea's Hope Lafora Children Research Fund 2026