FDA Approves Pivotal Phase 2b/3 Trial for Ibudilast in ALS Patients

Written by Alice Melão | April 17, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved MediciNova’s plans for a pivotal Phase 2b/3 clinical trial that will explore the potential of ibudilast (MN-166) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Pending the success of the trial, the company hopes the collected clinical data will support the submission of a new drug application and the approval of ibudilast for the treatment of ALS.

“We are very pleased to have successfully completed the FDA review period and look forward to initiating patient enrollment shortly,” Yuichi Iwaki, MD, PhD, president and CEO of MediciNova, said in a press release.

The randomized, placebo-controlled study is expected to enroll approximately 150 participants across several sites in the U.S.

Eligible patients must have the disease for no more than 18 months with just mild disability, determined by a score of at least 35 on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) at screening.

Patients taking Radicava (edaravone) or Nuedexta (dextromethorphan/quinidine) may also be eligible to participate in the study if they discontinue these treatments three months prior to entering the trial.

Participants must take Rilutek (riluzole) for at least 30 days before starting a regimen of either 100 mg per day of ibudilast or a placebo for a period of nine months.

Join our ALS forums: an online community especially for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Researchers will evaluate the ability of ibudilast to prevent ALS progression and patients’ functional disability compared with placebo by determining changes in ALSFRS-R score at the end of the treatment period.

In addition to this primary objective, they will also assess changes in the patients’ muscle strength, quality of life, and respiratory function as well as the safety and tolerability profile of ibudilast.

“While we acknowledge this was an important milestone, and we have a clear path forward, this moment is of great importance to the ALS community,” Iwaki said. “We give them our sincerest appreciation for their patience and optimism.”

“Patients will be eligible to receive study drug from MediciNova after completing the required treatment period in this trial,” he added.

Ibudilast’s benefits in ALS have been explored in a previous Phase 2 trial (NCT02238626) in combination with Rilutek.

Results showed that the ibudilast add-on treatment could significantly improve functional activity and quality of life compared with Rilutek alone. In addition, the combo therapy could also delay disease worsening and improve survival rates of ALS patients.

MediciNova is currently exploring the impact of ibudilast administered alone to ALS patients in a Phase 1/2 trial (NCT02714036). This trial has already completed patient enrollment and is still ongoing.

Ibudilast is a small molecule that inhibits the activity of the PDE4 and PDE10 enzymes and the MIF protein. This reduces the activity of immune cells in the brain and increases the production of neurotrophic factors that support the survival and growth of nerve cells that control movement.

The FDA has granted fast track status and orphan drug designation to ibudilast for the treatment of ALS. These designations are intended to expedite and support its clinical development, review, and potential approval.

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David Doane

This is great news, I look forward to possible participation as I have been discussing with my Neurologist the possibility of purchasing Ibudilast overseas... this would be a much better option.

Joe N. in ohio

you can get this drug shipped to you thru an agency in amsterdam -the social medwork - if you have bulbar onset or similar this may help you out.

Jerry

You can get it direct from Japan [email protected]
You need a VPN to view inside the EU.
Regards Jerry

Gordon Sellers

Where can get lbudlast I have mnd since 15 November 2019 so I need this tablets

Dave Reckonin

Progress....thank Science Almighty. Great news.
Fast Track is still pretty much slow-track in relative terms but there's more hope here than there is looking for something spiritual to influence things.

Placebo is inhumane in ALS

Why double- blind placebo

Bill DeMay

If phase 2 clinical trials showed safety and effectiveness in slowing progression, why another 9 month test? To me it’s inhumane. Seems unlikely small chance of harm is less than big certainty of continued disease progression.
These 18 month disease symptom exclusions make no sense to me either. I’m very slow progression but saw symptoms 3-4 years ago. Are we going to have to wait for more tests to see if works for us?

Alex

Its possible to order this drug from Japan via internet - it costs around 100$ with delivery. Just google "buy Ibudilast" or "buy ketas" (its second name). You will find a couple of japan shops which sell it all over the world. Its up to you whether to wait for some official approval or get it this way and try yourself
Not an advertizing. I am in the same boat unforthunatly searching for the cure.

ZAMZAM ELMARSAFI

HAVE U TRIED OR STATED?

Alex

I didn't try this drug before. But I made an order from a Japan internet shop once I read this article on April 18 and they already sent it to me via EMS (I have a tracking number which shows delivery progress) so I hope to get it in 14 days or so. I cannot say for 100% yet, but it looks like a valid purchase according to all details I see by now (I am an IT guy so it's not that easy to make me pay to some shady people via internet - I see the difference between fake and real internet shops)
I am in Russia but it should work for US and almost any other country in the same way.

Theresa

Hi can you share the website or seller details for this drug. My father is an ALS patient and it takes quite long before it is approved for used for the local ministry here. We just want to slow down his deterioration so that he at least live a little longer

Dr Zamzam Elmarsafi

BUY IBUDILAST , I found it under this title in google and I ordered already through the Japanese Health Center and I asked for 3 boxes and going to use beside Riluzol .

Alex

Hope it will get through moderation...
Tnere at least 2 Japan internet shops which sell this drug all over the world and look valid to me:
bio-japan.net and mimaki-family-japan.com
I personally ordered it from the second one on April 18 and the package already arrived in my city, so I hope to get it in next 2 days or so. As far as I understood Dr Zamzam ordered it from the first shop - I think it's ok too. Maybe there are even some more shops, I didn't try to find them all as soon as I found a couple which looks valid.

emily

exact same issue here with my dad! how do we get more info on this?

bill oakes

Alex,
I'd like to email you and discuss Ibudilast.
Bill
[email protected]

Jane

Have u tried it are ordered it

Jerry

Hi Alex, I’ve tried it but it makes me feel sick. Looking for something to counteract the nausea.
Regards Jerry

Dale

My wife was diagnosed on April 3, 2019. How can we get her in the study?

Steven P.

Dale, These sites give info on Clinical Trials and who to ask for applicant questions.

https://www.neals.org/
https://clinicaltrials.gov/
http://www.alsa.org/research/clinical-trials/

Suzanne Beers

I too have had ALS 2 years slow progression . I would be so thankful and overjoyed if this could halt progression . My family would be so happy to have me survive. Can you make available very soon.

P. Colon

I have ALS for almost 3 years now, it would be nice if they could make it available to us & let us decide.

P. Colon

I have ALS for almost 3 years now, it would be nice if they could make it available to us & let us decide. In any event it is cruel to let us wait.

Jim Harmon

I was diagnosed June 2018 am only using herbal treatment am I a candidate for program

Dr Zamzam Elmarsafi

very good news and hope we can get on line but how to be sure that it is not placebo and we will get the real medication ?

Dr Zamzam Elmarsafi

I have bulbar ALS was diagnosed 4 months back and since then I have been in Riluzol and some tonics .Am I a suitable candidate to add this medication ? and since it is already there to treat bronchial asthma , why should not we starte now or order it on line ?

Paul DiCarlo

All very good points above. I was diagnosed in May 2018 and have seen a significant decline in the past 12 months. Everyday is about survival and not living. A year ago I could shower and dress myself with ease now it is a real challenge and my wife has to assist. These trials seem to take forever and 99% of them I am excluded because of my SVC%. I really don't think I have another year to wait. Why can't we try these drugs outside of a trial? I would sign a waiver. I am particularly interested in the drug Levosimendan (ODM-109) which early trials were favorable to improve lung function. Wish I could purchase this outside of the phase 3 trial going on now.

Janet

I am getting a letter from my neurologist to order Ibudalist with the Right to try act in the US. I’m going thru Social Medwork. They said they will take a letter from my doctor, she can’t write prescription because not FDA approved yet, give it a try.

dony

Hello people who ordered and tried. Is there any effect?

Jerry

I have tried it but it makes me feel very sick. I need to find something to counteract the nausea. I ordered via Japan. Very quick and efficient.
Jerry

LynneK

Hope that the Ibudilast trial is (super) fast tracked and then gets approved in the UK, where I am. I got diagnosed with MND/ALS Nov 2017, but was losing my ballance for approximately the 4 previous years previously. I'm still walking with a walker indoors and recenrly a wheelchair outside.

Pedro

Hi, can anybody comment on whether Ibudilast had any positive effect on him or her? Would love to order it for a relative. Thanks.

Cecilia Crow

Does anyone take Ibudalist while on radicava ?

Joanna Owen

My husband does, along with Riluzole

Yuliya

Do you see improvement?

Joanna Owen

My husband's liver enzymes went crazy high on Ibudilast. We just found this out via blood work. His enzymes are 268, so he's decided to stop. Currently there are no drugs that show improvement with ALS regardless. Only drugs that slow progression which are Riluzole and Radicava.

corey

Am Corey Pollard from Ontario ,My dad was diagnosed with ALS February 2018 and i was so confused because i love my dad and i wouldn't want to loose him so soon and so, i decided to look for a possible solution to get rid of this ALS despite knowing it has no cure as advised by the medical doctor , everyday my dad's heath depreciate and keeps loosing weight and strength,a friend advised me to try peter wise ALS herbal formula that she used to cure her dad's heart disease and i was reluctant about it until after a second thought i decided to give it a try because no harm in trying and immediately i contacted him he assure me that my dad will be cured within few weeks of medication and he sent me the medicine and i applied it on my dad as advised by Dr peter wise and within 3 weeks of medication my dad was cured and now my dad is free from ALS it was indeed a miracle, he also have herbal formula for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) , DIABETICS