£14.5M awarded toward ALS, other neurodegenerative disease projects

A partnership between LifeArc and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is awarding £14.5 million (about $18.2 million) to seven research projects aimed at developing new tests, treatments, and devices for neurodegenerative diseases. “Our partnership with UK DRI allows us to identify and back the most promising translational…

Toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, which have been identified as risk factors for developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), were detected in air and earth samples collected around the Great Salt Lake in Utah, a study reports. “An understanding of the types and concentrations of cyanotoxins present in air is…

VectorY Therapeutics has raised about $138 million in funding aiming to bring into clinical testing VTx-002, its lead treatment candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The therapy equips nerve cells to produce antibodies against the damaging TDP-43 protein clumps that are an ALS hallmark. “The investment…

SOL-257, an experimental one-time gene therapy, was well tolerated and significantly improved disease outcomes in two distinct mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Developed by Sola Biosciences, SOL-257 is designed to clear the toxic TDP-43 protein that accumulates and forms clumps in ALS nerve cells, contributing to…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signed off on the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) clinical development plan for NeuroSense Therapeutics‘ lead candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ahead of a planned Phase 3 study. The Phase 3 trial of PrimeC is due to start…

Pasithea Therapeutics has selected a lead candidate for its PAS-003 program, which is intended to target a “velcro-like” protein to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The new therapy is a humanized monoclonal antibody that potently inhibits the alpha-5/beta-1 integrin protein. It was selected after extensive screening and characterization studies…

“Oh my, are you OK? Did you fall? Can I help you up?” Walking into the living room several years ago, my adult daughter was startled to find me on my hands and knees on the floor, huffing and puffing. Twisting to look in her direction, I replied, “Thanks, but…

Two Canadian provinces — Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador — are covering the cost of the oral formulation of Radicava (edaravone) for eligible residents with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients will have access through their provincial drug plans to Radicava Oral Suspension, developed along with…

A particular genetic variant that boosts the activity of the NEAT1 gene can push the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) forward by more than three years, according to data from a large patient group in China. While the exact function of NEAT1 in ALS needs to be explored,…