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Lack of Enzyme Crimps Movement Nerve Cell Development, Study Suggests

Lack of an enzyme prevents movement nerve cells from developing properly, suggesting that the shortage may play a role in ALS, a Northwestern University study reports. The study in the journal Cell Stem Cell was titled “Dissecting the Functional Consequences of De Novo DNA Methylation Dynamics in Human Motor Neuron Differentiation and…

3 Biotech Investors Join QurAlis’ Efforts to Cure ALS

Biotech investors MP Healthcare Venture Management (MPH), Amgen Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments have joined efforts by the new private biotech company QurAlis to search for a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Research has shown that ALS is a spectrum of disorders with diverse underlying mechanisms. Similar to…

Kadimastem Plans Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of Cell Therapy for ALS

The Israeli biotechnology company Kadimastem is planning a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of a cell therapy for ALS after regulators gave it the go-ahead. Kadimastem’s therapy, AstroRx, consists of cells called astrocytes that are injected into cerebrospinal fluid. The star-shaped cells, which surround nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, are derived…