Duvyzat (also known as givinostat) is a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Duvyzat
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Pharmaceutical company: ITF Pharma Ltd (Italfarmaco Group in the UK)
About the treatment
As our muscles are subjected to a lot of wear and tear, our cells have built in ways to help repair muscles and keep them functioning as they should. A molecule called histone deacetylase plays a key role in these repair processes. In people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, histone deacetylase is overactive, reducing muscle repair.
Duvyzat blocks the activity of histone deacetylase, to help improve muscle repair. It aims to reduce inflammation and the build-up of scar tissues, and ultimately slow progression. Duvyzat comes as a liquid that can be swallowed.
Availability
Duvyzat has been recommended as a treatment option for people aged six and over with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the UK. Please contact your (or child’s) clinical team for more information.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Read the full National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
Scotland
Read the full Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) guidance.
Our involvement
We are proud to have played a key role in making sure Duvyzat is available for people with Duchenne. Working in partnership with other Duchenne charities, we made sure the experience and views of the Duchenne community were heard.
Clinical trial results
The phase 3 EPIDYS clinical trial included 179 boys with DMD, aged six and older and could walk. They were randomly assigned to receive Duvyzat (118 participants) or placebo (dummy drug, 61 participants).
After 72 weeks, all participants’ four-stair climb assessment results got worse, suggesting their ability to move reduced. However, the decline in movement was statistically significantly smaller in those who received Duvyzat compared to those who received the placebo. This suggests Duvyzat is likely to slow progression. Duvyzat was found to be safe. Some participants had a reduction in blood platelets (which help with clotting and to stop bleeding), but this was managed by reducing the dose.
Safety
Duvyzat can sometimes cause side effects that doctors need to monitor closely, which is why regular check-ups are important. With the right care and monitoring, doctors can often help manage these effects, allowing treatment to continue or, if needed, deciding when it’s best to stop.
Last updated: 08/05/2026
Support and information
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a muscle wasting condition caused by the lack of a protein called dystrophin. It usually affects only boys.
Research
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