Researchers at Apellis Pharmaceuticals are seeking individuals living with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in a two-year phase 2 trial (MERIDIAN) to determine the efficacy of the investigational drug pegcetacoplan. Pegcetacoplan is designed to reduce the activity of the complement system (a component of the immune system), and potentially slow the progression of ALS. . . .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are seeking individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), or a related motor neuron disease to participate in a study/survey to determine if disease progression can be tracked by a smartphone application. The study uses REDCap, a secure website for medical research, to collect information . . .
Researchers at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical America (MTPA) are seeking individuals living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in a six-month observational study. This study is designed to identify biomarkers to serve as quantifiable, biological, non-clinical measures of Radicava (edaravone) effects on ALS. Observational measures might include assessment of vitals; blood and urine collection; safety assessments; use . . .
There’s no doubt 2020 has been a challenging year, but the commitment and passion of our MDA advocates have truly been a bright spot. As we close out the year, let’s recap your amazing accomplishments. Access to care and therapies from day one Thanks to the actions of advocates, together we made sure the lifesaving . . .
The Sweeneys — John, 58; his wife, Jennifer, 50; and daughters Dana, 24; Rachel, 22; and Ashley, 19 — live in a rowhouse in a small suburb outside of Philadelphia. Their street, John says, is busy — not unlike life inside the rowhouse lately. During the pandemic, the girls were living, working, and attending school . . .
On Oct. 16, Amylyx announced an update from its CENTAUR trial evaluating the effects of the investigational drug AMX0035 (a combination of the small molecules sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol) on overall survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The current study followed each participant in the CENTAUR trial for up to three years from . . .
On July 8, Biogen announced positive results from its phase 1/2 clinical trial of the investigational therapy tofersen (BIIB067) for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1 gene (SOD1). The primary endpoints of the study — assessment of safety, tolerability, and drug dynamics in the body — demonstrated . . .
In March 2020, MDA asked our advocates how the novel coronavirus pandemic was impacting their lives. New Yorker Robert Paulson shared his story — and the universal truth about how neuromuscular disease (NMD), like COVID-19, creates isolation. But for those living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other forms of NMD, that isolation doesn’t always . . .
In April, MDA fielded a survey to ask its community how COVID-19 was impacting their lives. We heard your responses — anxiety, questions, hope — and wanted to know more. In this six-part blog series, Hacking COVID, people from MDA’s community, all living with neuromuscular diseases, shared how they’ve altered their day-to-day lives, how they’ve . . .
On May 22, Danish company Orphazyme announced Fast Track designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for development of the investigational drug arimoclomol for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Arimoclomol previously received Fast Track status from the FDA for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) and sporadic inclusion body . . .
