LINKÖPING, Sweden, June 24, 2026 AMRA Medical is heading to Chicago for the 33rd edition of the International Research Congress on FSHD (IRC on FSHD), taking place June 25-26! As a proud Bronze Sponsor of this year’s meeting, AMRA will join stakeholders from across the global FSHD ecosystem including researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and patient advocates to discuss the latest advances in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) research and the therapeutic development landscape. This year, AMRA will share findings from three research efforts focused on the use of quantitative whole-body MRI and imaging biomarkers to better understand muscle composition within the FSHD population, under the Biomarkers of Disease Activity and Progression topic session.
One study, titled “Responsiveness to change of quantitative whole-body MRI: Results from ReDUX4 OLE,” used AMRA® Researcher to analyze MRI data from the ReDUX4 Open-Label Extension clinical trial to investigate the association between change in quantitative whole-body MRI biomarkers and disease progression in FSHD. By quantifying a set of muscles and identifying those most likely to progress using AMRA’s standardized whole-body muscle composition biomarkers, the study demonstrated improved sensitivity to change over time.The results support the use of MRI-derived biomarkers as responsive endpoints capable of detecting muscle changes related to progression and potential treatment effects earlier in clinical trials.
A second study, titled “Defining MRI-Based Biomarkers for Separating Muscle Fat Neogenesis and Atrophy in FSHD,” also used AMRA® Researcher to analyze MRI data from the ReDUX4 clinical trial and explore a novel approach for distinguishing between muscle fat replacement and muscle atrophy, two key processes that contribute to disease progression in FSHD. The findings suggest that this new approach may provide a clearer understanding of the biological changes occurring within muscle over time, which may allow researchers to better assess disease progression and treatment response during drug development trials in FSHD.
Additionally, updates from a collaborative multicenter research project alongside investigators from top neuromuscular research institutions in France, led by Nice University Hospital and the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, will be showcased at the conference. The study, titled “Tracking Disease Progression in FSHD: Change after 1-Year of Muscle MRI and Functional Clinical Outcomes Comparing Outcome Responsiveness & Sensitivity,” examines the relationship between MRI-derived muscle biomarkers and functional measures in individuals with FSHD. These findings demonstrate how MRI-based measurements can detect meaningful changes over a 12-month period and provide a more sensitive approach for monitoring disease progression.
As the field continues to advance, researchers require reliable and sensitive biomarkers capable of detecting subtle changes in diseases like FSHD, which are characterized by significant heterogeneity and relatively slow progression. Standardized imaging biomarkers can help improve clinical trial efficiency and generate deeper insights into treatment effects. Participation in this year’s IRC on FSHD 2026 reflects AMRA’s continued commitment to supporting research programs in FSHD and other neuromuscular and rare diseases. Through close collaboration with the broader FSHD research community, AMRA is proud to do our part in helping advance the tools needed to better understand disease progression and accelerate therapeutic development.
Will you be attending IRC 2026? We would love to connect!. Be sure to visit the Session 1: Biomarkers of Disease Activity and Progression poster sessions on Thursday, June 25th to learn more about our latest in FSHD research, or meet with the AMRA team members listed below, who will be onsite throughout the congress. To schedule a time to discuss how AMRA can support your future goals in neuromuscular disease research and beyond, contact info@amramedical.com.