A Phase 2 clinical trial investigating the inhaled sarcoidosis therapy aviptadil — also known as RLF-100, and designed to block inflammation in the lungs — has been cleared to start in Germany. The clearance by the German medical regulatory authority Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM) was given to…

For those with sarcoidosis, one of the most challenging aspects of the disease is finding folks who are just like us. I’m not referring to race, gender, or any other characteristic that differentiates us as individuals. I’m talking about the things that make us the same. I’m talking about finding…

The other day, I sent a message to my rheumatologist asking about getting a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. It was 11 p.m. on a Sunday, but I had to send it before I forgot. A half-hour later, I received two notifications about a new message and a letter…

aTyr Pharma has announced a collaboration with The Ohio State University (OSU) to conduct cell culture studies seeking to identify potential biomarkers that can predict ATYR1923’s therapeutic effectiveness in people with pulmonary sarcoidosis. The research, which extends previous proof-of-concept findings, will delineate the pathways involved in sarcoid granuloma formation…

“Well, listen to your lungs.” Those were the first words from my doctor’s mouth, following his slight look of concern. It was early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States, and I had boldly (and perhaps foolishly) told him that I was running a half-marathon in…

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” — Matthew 5:8 In 2017, my life took a turn I never expected. When something blindsides us, especially when it involves our health, sometimes we can interpret it as just an interruption in our lives. But most often, it’ll…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to RLF-100 (aviptadil), Relief Therapeutics’ investigational inhaled therapy for sarcoidosis. Such status is given to treatment candidates with the potential to be safe and effective in rare diseases — defined in the U.S. as those affecting fewer…

No, not that one. The other day, I Fell and Fractured my Foot (though I admit I probably said the other F-word a few times when it happened). I sprained my ankle, too, just to make it more Fun. It was the Fifth metatarsal on the outer side of my…

About 20 years ago I joined a program to lose weight, and ended up gaining not only a healthier body but also a much healthier mindset. Along the way, I fully embraced the idea of transformation, and after an emotional and symbolic speech from another program member, I decided I…

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James A. Baldwin Recently, I was asked an unusual and interesting question: “Do you know anyone personally that has sarcoidosis?” After a few seconds of thinking about an answer, I had…