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

FDA clears Phase 3b trial of NurOwn for ALS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared a Phase 3b clinical trial to test Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics’ cell-based therapy NurOwn (debamestrocel) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial, ENDURANCE (NCT06973629), is expected to open soon at more than a dozen sites across…

Young investigators receive MGH awards for ALS research

Three researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have received 2025 MGH ALS Young Investigator Awards for their research on genetic abnormalities, faulty energy systems, and why some nerve cells are more susceptible to damage than others in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The awards announced by the Sean M.

Groups ask lawmakers to preserve National ALS Registry funding

ALS groups are asking lawmakers to preserve federal funding for the National ALS Registry and National ALS Biorepository, the first and only comprehensive nationwide resource to collect and analyze data for better understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “A recently leaked draft memo from the U.S. Department of Health and…

RNS60 safe, well tolerated in EAP for advanced ALS

RNS60 was well tolerated when inhaled twice daily at home as part of an expanded access program (EAP), and it could be a safe option for people with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggested. “This EAP supports the safety and tolerability of RNS60,” researchers wrote in “…

AAN 2025: PrimeC reduces miRNAs linked to ALS progression

Neurosense Therapeutics’ oral therapy PrimeC significantly reduces blood levels of miRNAs — molecules involved in regulating gene activity — associated with disease progression and survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That’s according to six-month biomarker data from the Phase 2b PARADIGM clinical trial (NCT05357950), in which…