Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

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

Overactive immune genes may fuel sarcoidosis inflammation: Study

Sarcoidosis appears to involve activation of several immune pathways, particularly those guiding responses against some common viruses. These are the findings of a study that looked for immune signatures of the disease by analyzing differences in gene activity between people with sarcoidosis and healthy controls. “These findings support the…

Efzofitimod misses main goal in large pulmonary sarcoidosis trial

EFZO-FIT, a Phase 3 clinical study testing efzofitimod for pulmonary sarcoidosis, failed to meet its main goal of significantly reducing the need for corticosteroids among people with the rare inflammatory disease. However, the first-in-class immunomodulatory therapy did show some clinical benefits, according to its developer Atyr Pharma. Specifically,…

FSR launches ‘Facing Sarcoidosis Together’ this awareness month

April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, as chosen by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR), is “Facing Sarcoidosis Together” — which seeks to recognize the unique ways in which community, support, and advocacy can help patients navigate their disease. “Living with sarcoidosis presents significant challenges,…

XTMAB-16 Phase 1/2 trial for pulmonary sarcoidosis advances

Enrollment is complete in the dose-finding phase of a Phase 1b/2b clinical trial evaluating Xentria’s investigational therapy XTMAB-16 in adults with pulmonary sarcoidosis, and screening for the next phase is expected to start next fall. The Phase 1b/2 study (NCT05890729) enrolled 39 pulmonary sarcoidosis patients in four…