News

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who use melatonin have better survival outcomes and experience slower disease progression, a new analysis indicates. The findings suggest that melatonin may be beneficial for people with ALS. However, because the analysis was not designed to find cause-and-effect relationships, further studies are needed,…

Work into moving M102, an investigative treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), into testing in people has been given a boost by a £1.6 million research grant awarded to Aclipse Therapeutics and the…

A patent application allowing MediciNova to use its investigational therapy ibudilast (MN-166) in combination with riluzole to treat people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been approved for issue in Japan. The patent request filed with the Japan Patent Office covers a wide range of oral doses and dosing…

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA) has entered an agreement with Aquestive Therapeutics to market Exservan, an oral film formulation of riluzole, for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the United States. Under terms of the agreement, Aquestive — the developer of Exservan — will be the exclusive manufacturer and…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron diseases (MNDs), as well as their caregivers and healthcare professionals, are being recruited across the U.K. to provide input for the development of a web-based tool to help patients decide if they want a feeding tube. Patients are being…

Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) is renaming its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Augmentative Communication Program to the Jay S. Fishman ALS-Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s, the hospital announced. Fishman was CEO of the American insurance firm Travelers Companies. A vocal…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…

Indiana motorists can now sport a specialty license plate on their vehicles to show their support for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while contributing to the work into this neurodegenerative disease underway at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). Proceeds from plate purchases will go to support studies taking place at…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America announced changes to enhance its out-of-pocket assistance program for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using Radicava (edaravone). The changes, aimed at making the program easier and more accessible, include a new “hybrid” card meant to help patients obtain appropriate pharmacy and medical co-pay…