Researchers are looking for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in the phase 3 VITALITY-ALS clinical trial, sponsored by Cytokinetics, to test the experimental drug tirasemtiv. Tirasemtiv is a skeletal muscle activator that is designed to increase the sensitivity of muscle fibers to calcium, which should cause these fibers to contract even if . . .
In September, the Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB), constituted to oversee the Diaphragm Pacing System in Participants with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (DPS in ALS) study, being conducted in the United States, issued a recommendation that new enrollment be halted. At the same time, the DSMB recommended that patients already randomized to the diaphragm pacing . . .
By Amanda M. Haidet-Phillips, Ph.D., MDA’s ALS Scientific Program Officer As the month of August comes to an end, and the 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with it, I want to share with you some exciting new research news. MDA has announced the award of 36 new research and development grants, totaling nearly $10 million, . . .
CHICAGO, July 31, 2015 —The 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge will officially get underway today at Fenway Park in Boston, when Major League Baseball and the Boston Red Sox honor Ice Bucket co-founders Pat Quinn and Pete Frates, the ALS community and Lou Gehrig’s legacy by taking the challenge. MLB is donating $100,000 to further . . .
Statement from MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks: “MDA takes a big-picture perspective to fight ALS — investing in research to find breakthroughs that will lead to treatments and cures, caring for people from day one at our specialized clinics, and helping ALS families in hometowns across America live longer, stronger lives. MDA is . . .
Press Release: Novel Cellular Therapeutic Approach for ALS Gets FDA Clearance for First-In-Human Trials Statement from MDA Scientific Program Officer Amanda Haidet-Phillips, Ph.D.: “This is a promising development in the quest for treatments and cures for ALS. Approval of the Investigational New Drug Application (IND) by the FDA clears the way for a clinical trial of . . .
By Amanda M. Haidet-Phillips, Ph.D., MDA’s ALS Scientific Program Officer Throughout 2014, everyone from celebrities to school children to MDA’s own CEO could be seen dumping ice water over their heads to raise awareness and dollars to fight ALS. It was a phenomenon that shined an urgently-needed spotlight on a disease that steals everyday freedoms . . .
Dear ALS Community, We are excited and enthusiastic about the new approaches and new drugs that are being tested for people with ALS and remain very hopeful that one or more of these will become a therapy with substantial impact on slowing down or perhaps even stopping ALS. We remain grateful to the brave volunteers . . .
