Under this new framework, regulators may be able to approve the treatment even when large patient populations don’t exist, if researchers can clearly show:
- How a disease works at the genetic, cellular, or molecular level;
- How a treatment addresses that mechanism, and
- Improvements that would not have been seen in patients without treatment.
This shift towards evaluating potential therapies based on how well they address specific mechanisms could speed up the development of rare disease treatments. It also means that it’s more important than ever to make sure patients and healthcare providers have a clear understanding of the science behind the disease and treatment so that they can make confident, informed decisions about their care.
Our other ideas worth exploring
Knowing when to start, and stop
Ella Korets-Smith talks about starting two different biotechs, the experience of winding one of them down, and how she prioritizes relationship-building.
A closer look at the investigational drug daraxonrasib
The RAS protein has historically made pancreatic cancer hard to treat. Darasonrasib takes a different approach.
Bedside Manners: How a pediatrician approaches patient education
An interview with Dr. Karissa Young, a general pediatrician, about her philosophies and strategies around patient education.



