Biogen has decided to exercise its option to acquire from Ionis Pharmaceuticals the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize BIIB067 as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The decision to license the investigational therapy is covered under the terms of a collaborative agreement between the two companies…
Global asset management company Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) has announced a $20 million matching gift to establish the Healey Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, the goal of which is to accelerate the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatments. With this gift, which will fund over time,…
Depression and anxiety in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, even at low levels, are linked and should be addressed together, a study reports. Moreover, according to the study, support to caregivers is essential as the patient-caregiver relationship is of key importance in coping with ALS. The study, “Death…
A natural compound found in certain fruits and vegetables, called resveratrol, may help boost the ability of mesenchymal stem cells taken from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients to transform into mature nerve cells, researchers in Korea report. This finding, detailed in a study published in the Journal of Tissue…
It’s hard to live in the present when the past feels as close as my shadow. I can’t stop thinking about the things I have lost. I’m nearly immobile, so the things I miss most are physical. I miss my feet touching the ground. I miss the…
Anelixis Therapeutics has begun dosing patients in the first human trial of its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment candidate, AT-1501, the company announced. The trial is currently enrolling both healthy volunteers and eight ALS patients to test AT-1501’s safety and tolerability. Researchers will also examine how the agent behaves…
An experimental gene therapy based on RNA interference (RNAi) shows potential to treat patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, according to results of a preclinical study in nonhuman primates. The study, “Safe and effective superoxide…
Cytokinetics has completed patient enrollment in its Phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and potential of reldesemtiv to improve muscle function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the company announced. The trial (NCT03160898), called FORTITUDE-ALS, includes about 450 ALS patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe,…
The amount of time it takes to diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the use of Rilutek (riluzole) to treat it vary significantly across Canada, according to a new nationwide analysis of a patient registry. These findings highlight the need for future studies to identify the factors that contribute…
About four years ago, ALS impeded my speaking ability. Like more than 80 percent of all ALS patients, I now have dysarthria, or what I refer to as my “ALS voice.” It’s a slurred, slow speech pattern with a nasal tone and imprecise pronunciation of consonants. For…
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