Alice Melão,  —

Biogen is acquiring Karyopharm Therapeutics’ KPT-350 and other potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. “As a global innovative leader in neuroscience that brings world-class capabilities in developing and commercializing products targeting a broad range of neurological conditions, Biogen is well suited to further advance the development of KPT-350,” Michael…

Q Therapeutics of the United States and REPROCELL of Japan are teaming up to develop stem cell-based therapies for central nervous system diseases such as ALS and transverse myelitis, or TM. The collaboration will meld Q Therapeutics’ expertise in nerve cell therapy with REPROCELL’s expertise in stem cell treatments.

Scientists have long believed that ALS was confined to one area of the brain, but an Irish study shows it affects a number of regions. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin’s Academic Unit of Neurology used electroencephalography, or EEG, to record patients’ brain activity. They discovered that nerve cell communication was lower…

Rare genetic mutations that affect functionally related proteins act in a synergistic manner to determine the course of ALS, a new genetic screening study shows. It also points to several new mutations that might lead to this disease. “We provide evidence for a number of entirely novel genetic variants of…

Analyzing muscles via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect small physiological changes that happen when motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) get worse, concludes a study by British researchers. The study, “Imaging muscle as a potential biomarker of denervation in motor neuron disease” appeared…

Biohaven Pharmaceutical has dosed the first amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient with its sublingual formulation of riluzole, BHV-0223, in a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial. The trial aims to demonstrate that BHV-0223’s effects are at least equivalent to Rilutek, an approved tablet formulation of riluzole. The trial initiation was supported by…

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is expanding the patent portfolio that protects its NurOwn technology for the treatment of several diseases affecting the central nervous system. The latest U.S. patent claim includes Parkinson’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The announcement by BrainStorm follows a Notice of Allowance issued by…

Routinely measuring neurofilaments in the blood and spinal fluid of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can help identify patients with early symptoms, concludes a recent study. Researchers led by Dr. Emily Feneberg of England’s University of Oxford presented the study, “Multicenter evaluation of neurofilaments in early symptom onset amyotrophic…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to Revalesio’s investigational drug RNS60 to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The status gives incentives for companies to develop new therapies targeting rare and serious diseases, providing marketing exclusivity for…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug designation to AMX0035 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, the drug developer, announced in a press release. Orphan drug status aims to encourage therapies for rare and serious diseases through incentives such as seven years of market…