Margarida Maia, PhD,  —

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

PNH linked to thrombosis, kidney failure in Nordic study

About one in five patients newly diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the Nordic countries has a history of blood clots obstructing blood vessels — known as thrombosis — or develops kidney failure, a study in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden found. “The high number of thromboses and…

As number of PNH cases rise in Italy, so does treatment cost: Study

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is being diagnosed more frequently in Italy, and while treatment with complement inhibitors can be effective, it carries a high yearly cost of over €133,000 (about $155,000) per patient, mostly due to medication expenses. According to a study, every fourth patient received treatment…

Soliris may boost pregnancy outcomes for women with PNH

Pregnant women with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who receive Soliris (eculizumab) have higher chances of their babies surviving compared with those who don’t, with fewer miscarriages before 24 weeks, a meta-analysis study has found. Biosimilars of Soliris are also available. “Eculizumab appears to be safe and benefits pregnant women with…

PNH treatment Fabhalta may save $4M in lifetime costs: Study

The use of Fabhalta (iptacopan) — approved in the U.S. in December 2023 as a treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) — may save about $4 million over a patient’s lifetime compared with intravenous, or into-the-vein, standard of care therapies, according to a study by U.S. researchers. The oral…

Study: PNH symptoms remain with treatment, impairing life quality

Fatigue affects the ability of adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) to perform daily tasks, interact socially, and stay focused, even with treatment, showing how the disease limits physical, emotional, and social well-being, according to a real-world study. The findings indicate how the impact on health-related quality of life…

Pozelimab-cemdisiran treatment shows promise for PNH in trial

A novel combination of pozelimab and cemdisiran appears to be better than Ultomiris (ravulizumab) at controlling intravascular hemolysis — the rupture of red blood cells inside blood vessels — in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), showing promise as a potential treatment for the rare acquired disease. That’s…

Roche’s PNH treatment PiaSky now approved in the EU

The European Commission has approved Roche’s PiaSky (crovalimab) to treat adults and adolescents with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), ages 12 and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (88 pounds). PiaSky is the first treatment for PNH in the European Union that’s administered subcutaneously (under the skin) once a…