MRC1986

Sorry to jump on board this comment, and joining this a bit late, but hello to OP! I completed my PhD in the Shore/Kaplan lab at UPenn studying FOP. This is my 1st author paper published in JBMR (even got the cover image that issue!). That paper makes up a good portion of my thesis work, on the inflammatory contributions to FOP lesions.

4+ years since I defended my thesis, there still is no FDA approved therapy, but we're getting closer. Regeneron just restarted their anti-Activin A clinical trial, and even though Ipsen delayed their FDA approval decision date, there still is hope for that program. Plus others currently in development.

With COVID it may have been a while since you toured the lab at UPenn, if you haven't been in a while I hope you can visit soon again. I always loved when patients and their families visited!

Or you have none of the ingredients and set $2B of investor money on fire, like Quibi!

Big E! Rutgers Class of 2009 alum here! Upstream Red Team!

What are your feelings about regenerative medicine (e.g. - stem cell therapy, synthetic nerves, etc.)? Is it something you, your family, and your physicians are considering as this technology and approach matures?

I'm currently a PhD student in molecular biology, and our lab studies a set of genetic bone diseases. It's been inspiring to see our patient community, keeps me motivated to work hard in the lab. And I'm always inspired by you, keeps me motivated as well.

#bELieve

Hey Joe, good to see you here again. I completed my PhD in the Shore/Kaplan lab at UPenn; I'm listed in the former members section.

What are your thoughts about the first treatment being approved by the FDA in August? The drug is palovarotene (brand name Sohonos); it prevents chondrogenesis (ie, cartilage formation), which is an intermediary step in the pathology of FOP from soft connective tissue into heterotopic ossification.

Taylor Ham

Eric knows what's up!