NMD4C: The Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada

This past week, Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) released a statement from Stacey Lintern, Chief Executive Officer of MDC on a Collaboration with Novartis for National Newborn Screening in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). 

Read the full statement here

Statement from Dr. Hanns Lochmüller, Lead Investigator for NMD4C:

“We are thrilled to see our partners MDC collaborating with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc to implement newborn screening as a standardized procedure across Canada. The strong national network of patient organizations, medical experts, researchers, and other stakeholders combined with investment from Novartis is a robust foundation on which to develop a national newborn screening plan.”

For many neuromuscular disorders, early diagnosis and prompt access to treatments are integral in achieving positive outcomes.

Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many patients who do not receive diagnoses until much later. For children born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), newborn screening can identify children in need of treatment and care, which can drastically increase their chances of positive developmental outcomes.