Vanda Pinto, PhD, science writer —

​​Vanda is a biochemist with a PhD in biomedicine from the University of Porto, Portugal. She conducted her postdoctoral research first at the Bristol Medical School, U.K., studying the insulin-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in diabetic nephropathy, then at the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, where her focus was on glycosylation in lupus nephritis and inflammatory bowel disease. She next made the switch to science publishing, handling papers in biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology.

Articles by Vanda Pinto

Phase 1 Trial Testing Fast-melting Sebetralstat as HAE Treatment

An orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation of sebetralstat, an investigational on-demand treatment for swelling attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients, is processed by the body in a similar way to its film-coated tablets, according to data from a Phase 1 clinical trial. Researchers are investigating these ODT tablets…

HAE Patients Found to Be at Higher Risk of Developing Other Diseases

Patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) are more likely to develop comorbidities, or co-existing conditions, such as cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases than the general population, a Swedish database study reports. The findings highlight the need for awareness and prevention of these conditions in patients with HAE, according to researchers. The…

Guidelines Needed for Stopping Attenuated Androgens: Study

Strategies to manage discontinuing attenuated androgens — male hormones frequently used as a preventive treatment for hereditary angioedema (HAE) — can be very diverse, and the most common withdrawal challenge is an increase in HAE attacks, a recent case series reported. Its authors, some of which are leading European…

Haldol Triggers Tongue Swelling in Boy, Case Study Reports

A 14-year-old boy developed angioedema of the tongue thought to be triggered by Haldol (haloperidol), an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and other mental or mood disorders, a case report found. “Clinicians should be aware of potential dangerous adverse effects of commonly used medications. Patients with angioedema may…

Acute Allergic Angioedema in Woman, 81, Likely Triggered by Effexor XR

Effexor XR (venlafaxine), a medication normally used to treat depression and anxiety, might have triggered acute allergic angioedema in an 81-year-old woman, a case study reports. Her symptoms, including tongue swelling, nausea, vomiting, and headaches, eased after she went off Effexor XR and was treated with diphenhydramine, an anti-allergy…

HAEi Offers New Advocacy Courses, Patient App in 14 Languages

HAE International (HAEi) has expanded its free online training platform to include new courses on advocacy, disease-related information, and resources. “The HAEi Advocacy Academy is the premier online learning platform for the HAE Community,” Fiona Wardman, the non-profit’s chief regional patient advocate, said in a press release.

Deal Struck to Distribute Ruconest in Middle East, North Africa

Pharming Group has signed an exclusive license agreement with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals to distribute and commercialize Ruconest (conestat alfa), a treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE), in the Middle East and North Africa. Under the agreement terms, NewBridge in collaboration with Pharming, will provide access…