Amylyx Pharmaceuticals reported this week that its experimental therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was successful in slowing the progression of the disease.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is rare — about 6,000 Americans are diagnosed with the illness each year. But the effects of the illness, which causes nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle control to break down, can be devastating. After diagnosis, the average life expectancy for patients is three to five years.
There is also still no cure for ALS and only two approved treatments that help improve symptoms.
Amylyx’s therapy, called AMX0035, works by helping to prevent nerve cell death while promoting regeneration.
With its positive study results in hand, the company said it will work with the FDA to decide on its next steps.
Read the Reuters report.
