Lila Levinson, PhD,  Science Writer—

Lila is a Science Writer at BioNews. She completed her PhD in neuroscience at the University of Washington, where she studied how the natural flexibility of the human brain can be used to promote recovery after injury. Previously, she has written about science for The Dallas Morning News and the University of Washington Computational Neuroscience Center. She enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and spending time with her cat, Fibonacci.

Articles by Lila Levinson, PhD

Toxic dye may cause ALS-like symptoms, neurodegeneration

Being exposed to rhodamine B (RhB), a toxic fluorescent dye, causes neurodegeneration and symptoms that resemble amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in zebrafish, a study reports. The exposed zebrafish exhibited behaviors, and cellular and molecular changes similar to those in neurological disorders like ALS. Their muscles and motor abilities also…

New collaboration will use AI tools to find ALS treatment targets

A new coalition aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate drug discovery for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders. Answer ALS is teaming with partners including GATC Health — a drug discovery company focusing on machine learning and neural networks — Louisiana State…

AMX0114 receives FDA fast track status for the treatment of ALS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to AMX0114, an experimental therapy being developed by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Fast track status is designed to facilitate the development and review of treatments that have the potential to address…

Brainstorm taps Minaris to produce NurOwn for Phase 3b trial

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics is partnering with Minaris Advanced Therapies to manufacture NurOwn (debamestrocel), its investigational cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for an upcoming Phase 3b clinical trial. The companies signed a letter of intent outlining the collaboration, under which Minaris, a contract development and manufacturing…

ATH-1105 experimental therapy found safe in healthy adults: Trial

ATH-1105, an experimental oral therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers, according to the treatment’s developer, Athira Pharma. The data comes from a first-in-human Phase 1 trial (NCT06432647) that tested the safety and pharmacological…

Neurosense, awaiting Canada approval, scales PrimeC production

Neurosense Therapeutics said it’s scaled production of PrimeC, its oral therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to commercial levels as it awaits regulatory approval to launch the medication in Canada. “This manufacturing milestone represents a critical leap forward in our commercialization roadmap,” Alon Ben-Noon, CEO of Neurosense, said in…

Eli Lilly licensing AIchemab’s ALS antibody therapy in $415M deal

Alchemab Therapeutics has entered into a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly to develop and market ATLX-1282, a therapy candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative conditions. ATLX-1282 was developed using Alchemab’s platform, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify potential therapeutic targets for diseases…

FDA clears expanded access program for SPG302 in ALS patients

Note: This story was updated May 13, 2025, to correct information about the company’s clinical trials. Spinogenix has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to launch an expanded access program (EAP) for SPG302, its oral treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). EAPs, also known…