A Historic First for Menkes Disease: How Zycubo’s FDA Approval is Redefining Rare Disease R&D
21 January 2026
The FDA’s landmark approval of Zycubo (copper histidinate) on January 13, 2026, marks a historic breakthrough as the first-ever therapy for Menkes disease, a rare and previously fatal neurodegenerative disorder. By delivering a stabilized copper-histidine complex that effectively bypasses ATP7A-related genetic defects, Zycubo has demonstrated a staggering 80% reduction in mortality risk for early-intervention cohorts, extending median overall survival from 17.6 months to an unprecedented 177.1 months. This success story underscores the critical role of high-precision molecular intelligence in orphan drug R&D, illustrating how advanced data mining can unlock life-saving potential within the most complex chemical and patent landscapes.