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[HEALTH] · Spain · 7 sources

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Spanish family seeks €3 million to treat infant Claudia's rare disease

Claudia was born on 4 September 2023. Genetic testing later identified a deficiency of the D‑bifunctional protein (DBP) caused by mutations in the HSD17B4 gene, a rare metabolic disorder that damages peroxisomes and leads to progressive neuro‑degeneration. By April 2024 she had lost the ability to crawl and now requires 24‑hour care.

Her parents, Elena and Ignacio, created the Association for Research and Treatment of Peroxisomal Diseases and the platform “El Reto de Claudia” to raise funds. Elena reduced her work schedule by 90 % from 1 July to care for Claudia. The family is seeking €3 million to develop a gene‑therapy that could correct the underlying mutation. A Spanish university has opened a dedicated research line and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona is participating in the project. The case has attracted interest from a noted geneticist and several U.S. biotech companies specializing in rare‑disease gene therapies.

Entities

Claudia · Elena · Hospital Sant Joan de Déu · Ignacio · Spanish university (unnamed) · University in Spain

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