Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Tezepelumab wins breakthrough designation for eosinophilic COPD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough designation to tezepelumab, an approved therapy for severe asthma, as an add-on maintenance treatment for moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) marked by an eosinophilic profile. An eosinophilic profile refers to high blood levels of eosinophils,…

Higher vitamin E intake linked to lower COPD risk: US data

People who get more vitamin E from their diet may be less likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an analysis suggests. Findings indicate that vitamin E supplementation may help in preventing COPD, but more research is needed to confirm this, researchers note. The study “…

Ensifentrine, now Ohtuvayre, wins FDA approval for COPD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Verona Pharma’s ensifentrine as an inhaled maintenance therapy for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The decision makes ensifentrine — to be marketed under the brand name Ohtuvayre — the first therapy with a new mechanism of action…

ALA awareness campaign highlights jobs that pose risk of COPD

A new campaign will highlight the ways certain jobs, including those related to mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, can increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes, and vapors in the workplace may all lead to COPD, said the American Lung…

Dosing begins in clinical trial of potential COPD therapy APG808

Apogee Therapeutics has begun dosing healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 clinical trial of APG808, the company’s anti-inflammatory injection therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other inflammatory disorders. “Launching our second clinical program, ahead of initial timeline expectations, brings us one step closer to providing…

Antibody activating an immune cell protein may treat COPD

Scientists at NextCure have developed a monoclonal antibody targeting the protein VSTM-1, which the company hopes to develop as a treatment for inflammatory lung disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “We believe we have a real opportunity to change the standard of care in…

Eblasakimab found to open lung airways of COPD patient samples

Treatment with the anti-inflammatory medication eblasakimab opened the airways of lung samples from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in laboratory experiments. The findings were shared by Aslan Pharmaceuticals, the company that’s developing eblasakimab, in an oral presentation at the Dermatology Drug Development Summit, held recently in…

FDA clears Phase 2 trial of RLS-0071 for COPD exacerbations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ReAlta Life Sciences’ request to launch a Phase 2 clinical trial testing its experimental anti-inflammatory therapy RLS-0071 in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are experiencing disease exacerbations. Exacerbations, or disease flare-ups, may occur several times per year…

Worse COPD outcomes linked with S. maltophilia bacterium in lungs

The bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in the lungs is significantly associated with a higher risk of death and hospitalization due to disease exacerbation in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a study shows. Researchers are calling for clinical trials to test whether targeting S. maltophilia with antibiotics might improve outcomes…