A Donegal man who was one of the first ever patients on an Amyloidosis treatment trial says the therapy has transformed his health.
James Green, an accountant from Burt, was diagnosed with Hereditary ATTR Amyloidosis five years ago.
It is estimated that 1% of the Donegal population carries a strand of this rare and progressive disease, known as ‘Donegal Amy’.
In January 2021, James became the second person in the world to receive a CRISPR-Cas9 infusion.
He was one of just three patients to take part in Phase 1 of this clinical trial of Nex-Z, a therapy developed by Intellia Therapeutics.
CRISPR therapy is delivered systemically through the bloodstream, using lipid nanoparticles to edit genes inside the human body.
“Being part of the CRISPR trial has been life-changing,” James said. “It’s transformed not only my health but also my outlook on what’s possible for patients with hereditary amyloidosis. This isn’t just about me — it’s about giving hope to families who may face the same challenges in the future.”
James conquered a lifelong dream in 2023 when he trekked to Everest Base Camp, which is a mammoth 6,189m elevation.