New National Program Targets Nutrition Access in Myasthenia Gravis Community

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue, symptoms that can significantly impact daily functioning beyond traditional clinical measures. In particular, bulbar involvement—including difficulty chewing and swallowing—can create substantial barriers to maintaining adequate nutrition, often compounding disease burden and complicating overall management.

Recognizing these real-world challenges, UCB recently partnered with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) and Factor Meals to launch the MGFA Food Support Program, a national initiative designed to provide pre-prepared, nutritionally balanced meals directly to patients living with MG. The program aims to support approximately 250 families in 2026, addressing both physical limitations and broader social determinants of health such as food insecurity and access to consistent nutrition.

To better understand the clinical relevance and broader implications of this initiative, NeurologyLive^® spoke with Aprill Lane, US Advocacy Lead for Rare Disease at UCB. In this Q&A, Lane discusses how MG symptoms affect nutritional intake, the unmet needs identified within the patient community, and how programs like this may integrate into comprehensive care models to support quality of life and disease management.

NeurologyLive: From a clinical perspective, how do fatigue, bulbar symptoms, and functional limitations in myasthenia gravis impact patients’ ability to maintain adequate nutrition?

Aprill Lane: Individuals living with myasthenia gravis often face profound fatigue, extreme muscle weakness, and difficulty chewing or swallowing, which can often limit the ability to prepare meals or ensure proper nutritional intake. Mealtime preparation, and eating while experiencing MG symptoms, induce high levels of stress and compound symptom expression. Additionally, individuals with MG need time to rest because of profound fatigue and may not have time to prepare meals. These factors can directly impact disease management and overall well-being.^1,2

What unmet needs does the MGFA Food Support Program aim to address, and how were these identified within the MG patient community?

The MGFA Food Support Program aims to address significant food insecurity and nutrition "deserts" by providing nutritious, pre-prepared meals delivered directly to the homes of eligible individuals living with MG. Specifically, it is designed to remove critical barriers to proper nutrition while helping MG patients improve their daily quality of life, treatment adherence and overall health.¹

These needs were identified through ongoing engagement between the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) and the MG patient community, where individuals frequently report that nutrition is a daily challenge rather than a one-time concern. Furthermore, these needs are underscored by the findings from a poster presented at the 2023 MGFA Scientific Session, indicating that social determinants of health, including food insecurity, are associated with suboptimal treatment among individuals with MG.These insights underscore the urgent need for practical, targeted interventions to improve access to adequate nutrition.¹

At UCB, we are committed to supporting individuals living with rare diseases beyond therapeutic care. As an advocacy‑led initiative supported by UCB, the MGFA Food Support Program responds to real‑world barriers patients face by reducing the physical burden of meal preparation and helping ensure access to balanced and nutritionally-sound meals delivered directly to the home.

How might improved access to consistent, nutritious meals influence disease management, symptom stability, or overall quality of life in patients with MG?

Reliable access to nutritious meals can play an important supportive role in daily disease management. Emerging evidence suggests that adequate protein and anti-inflammatory nutrition may support muscle strength, immune regulation and overall quality of life for individuals living with MG.² Additionally, individuals who participated in a 2025 program trial reported extremely positive feedback that demonstrated important benefits including: reduced stress and higher levels of energy around mealtimes, reduced financial burden in acquiring nutritional ingredients for meals, less time required to prepare meals and more rest time to manage health and quality of life and overall improved nutrition and healthier mealtime options.¹ Reducing one more daily stressor – especially around something as fundamental as food – can help patients focus on living a better quality of life.²

Are there specific nutritional considerations or dietary strategies that clinicians should be aware of when managing patients with MG, particularly those with swallowing or fatigue-related challenges?

Healthcare providers caring for patients with MG may be mindful that symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue can make eating physically demanding. Because chewing and swallowing rely on multiple muscle groups, patients may benefit from practical strategies that reduce effort and support safe intake. These can include modifying food textures (e.g., soft, moist, or puréed options), avoiding mixed textures when swallowing is difficult and encouraging smaller, more frequent meals. Meal timing – such as eating when energy levels are highest – and easy‑to‑eat, nutrient‑dense foods can also be helpful.³

While the meals provided by the MGFA Food Support Program are not personalized medical nutrition therapies, they can help ensure patients have access to pre-packaged, easy-to-prepare meals to people who might benefit from them.

How do you see programs like this integrating with broader care models for MG, including pharmacologic treatment and multidisciplinary support?

Comprehensive MG care extends beyond pharmacologic treatment alone. Programs such as the MGFA Food Support Program are designed to integrate alongside clinical management by addressing day-to-day challenges that patients consistently report as impactful to their well-being.¹ When paired with multidisciplinary support – such as disease education – these initiatives can help create a more holistic care experience. For UCB, supporting advocacy-driven programs like this reflects our broader commitment to supporting the rare disease community and beyond to address unmet needs that influence daily life, not just disease symptoms.

REFERENCES
1. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. (2026, April 20). Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America launches MGFA Food Support Program to advance nutrition access and health equity for individuals with myasthenia gravis. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/myasthenia-gravis-foundation-of-america-launches-mgfa-food-support-program-to-advance-nutrition-access-and-health-equity-for-individuals-with-myasthenia-gravis-302746916.html
2. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. (2026). Impact of mealtime on the myasthenia gravis community [Infographic]. https://myasthenia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MGFA-Food-Support-Infographic_FINAL.pdf
3. Stober, K. (2026, April 2). Functional fueling: Nutrition strategies to support life with myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America. https://myasthenia.org/blog/2026/04/02/myasthenia-gravis-nutrition-strategies/