We are at an exciting point in ALS research. Here are some updates about how our research dollars are providing new understanding into ALS.
Our Clinical Manager of Assistive Technology, Alisa Brownlee, will be speaking at the Annual Luncheon on Friday, November 16th. Send your questions by email or tweet them @alsassistivetec or @alsphiladelphia with the hashtag #mackler and she might answer yours in her speech.
Study Funded by The ALS Association Reveals Possible Therapeutic Target to Treat ALS
The October 28 edition of Nature Genetics features a study The ALS Association funded in part which shows a potential target to treat Lou Gehrig’s Disease. This study indicates that lowering the level of a cellular enzyme reduces the disease-causing activity of a major ALS-related protein called TDP-43.
You can learn more about this study in the “Latest News” section of the national office website. We have also posted a press release about this study.
Updates on Two Clinical Trials: NP001 Phase III and Tirasemtiv Phase IIb
October 30, 2012
This week, two clinical trials that are moving to the next phase were announced involving potential treatments for people with ALS.
NP001 Phase III
On October 30, Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals announced that it is planning a Phase III clinical program to continue to study of its drug, NP001, in people with ALS. According to the company, its Phase II clinical study demonstrated positive trends in slowing the rate of disease progression, and NP001 was found to be safe and well-tolerated. The data will be presented at the 23rd International Symposium on ALS/MND in Chicago this December.
The Phase III study is expected to begin in the second half of 2013. The ALS Association is in dialogue with the investigators who were involved in the Phase II study and will provide additional information as it becomes available. Neuraltus has set up a toll-free number, which is available through December 31, 2012, for questions about the study: 1-888-347-7799.
Tirasemtiv Phase IIb
On October 29, Cytokinetics, Incorporated, announced a Phase IIb clinical trial to continue studying it drug, tirasemtiv, formerly known as CK-2017357, in people with ALS. It has opened BENEFIT-ALS (Blinded Evaluation of Neuromusclar Effects and Functional Improvement with Tirasemtiv in ALS), formerly known as CY 4026, to enrollment.
More information on ALS-related clinical trials is available The Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS). The site has already been updated with the tirasemtiv clinical trial here.
Research Update: C9orf72 Symposium at Society for Neuroscience Conference Highlights New Ideas in Understanding and Treating ALS and FTD
During this week’s annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in New Orleans, The ALS Association and The Association for FTD co-hosted a symposium titled, “ALS, FTD and New Discoveries in C9orf72.” At this event, attended by 170 researchers, post-doctoral students and clinicians, noted ALS scientists discussed the impact of the discovery of the C9orf72 gene on ALS and FTD research.
You can learn more about this study in the “Latest News” section of the national office website.