India’s First ‘Gene Exon Skipping Therapy’

India’s first ‘Gene exon skipping therapy’ for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy delivered in Madurai

 Ø  Dr. K. Raghavan of Kenmax Multispecialty Hospital successfully delivers the Vyondys 53 for a 10-year-old boy

Ø  JOGO Health provides the patient neuromuscular assessment and digital neuro-rehab therapy

In what is verified as the first-ever instance in India, the ‘Gene exon skipping therapy’ has been delivered to a 10-year-old who is suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This is so far the most advanced and definitive treatment for DMD. Dr. K. Raghavan of Kenmax Multispeciality Hospital successfully delivered the Vyondys 53, post which the team of Neuro Rehab Therapists from JOGO Health is providing digital neuro-rehab therapy to evaluate and aid functional recovery of the child. This youngster became the first patient in India, and the 27^th patient in the world to receive this advanced treatment. He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was 3.5 years old.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder, where an enzyme called Dystrophin is not secreted in the body. This condition affects mostly male children, and they typically live only until 35yrs and succumb to muscle wasting. Until recently, there was no definitive treatment available for this condition. However, in 2019 November, the US FDA had approved a Genetic Engineered medicine called Vyondys 53. This is a Gene codon correction at the defective DNA level. Since then, it has been administered to 24 children in the USA as part of a clinical trial, with promising results.

India’s first ‘Gene exon skipping therapy’

This patient’s family approached Kenmax Multispecialty Hospital, for a solution to his DMD condition, in the month of December 2019, and has been undergoing treatment since then. Dr. K. Raghavan – a world-renowned pediatric neurologist and a key opinion leader who has treated developmental disorders of over 10000 patients – took it upon himself to put together the logistics to arrange for the Vyondys 53 medicine from the USA. Dr. K. Raghavan selected JOGO’s advanced digital therapeutic and JOGO Therapists to manage rehabilitation and functional recovery for the patient.

Commenting on this treatment Dr. K. Raghavan said, “We are glad to be living in this era of rapid scientific progress, where the world is coming together as a community to fight deadly diseases. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a common genetic disorder of childhood with an estimated incidence rate ranging from 1 in 3500 to 1 in 5000 boys. With virtually no chance of recovery, and unavailability of definitive treatment or rehabilitation options, most patients die at a very young age” he further added “the Vyondys 53 has been administered to 24 children in the USA and totally 26 children worldwide, showing promising outcomes. This is the first time in India we are attempting this advanced treatment for DMD, and with the JOGO digital therapeutics, we are able to measure the response accurately and the patient is making fast progress with their rehab program.”

Advanced digital therapeutic developed by JOGO for neuromuscular disorders creates a natural synergy – I’m pleased to announce a partnership with JOGO Health to provide the entire spectrum of rehabilitation services at Kenmax Multispecialty Hospital.”

“JOGO is happy to be a part of this very important milestone in Indian healthcare. JOGO digital therapeutics has a proven track record of dealing with complex neurological conditions, with its accurate and precise assessment capabilities, and this particular case is just a proving ground for us. The child has shown very good progress since the administration of gene therapy, aided by the digital therapeutics from JOGO Health. We are excited about working with Kenmax Multispecialty Hospital and bringing JOGO’s advanced digital therapeutics to patients at large.” said Mr. Shyam Ramamurthy, Clinical Director & General Manager of JOGO Health.

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