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GE Healthcare Invites People to Join Its Efforts in Making an Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases
December 16, 2011
GE Healthcare has launched an online platform where patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases can share their stories. The website is part of GE's Making an Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases (MIND) Campaign, which seeks to improve the detection, diagnosis and care of patients with neurodegenerative diseases.


Metabolon Extends Biochemical Understanding of ALS
December 14, 2011
Metabolon, a diagnostics and services company based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, has pioneered a global metabolomics effort to profile the biochemical changes underlying ALS and has recently published its findings. Metabolon expects to discern metabolic signatures of ALS that could be used to develop diagnostic assays and serve as potential targets for drug development.


Trophos Announces Results of Phase 3 Study of Olesoxime in ALS
December 13, 2011
Marseille-based Trophos announced that the Phase III study of olesoxime [http://www.researchals.org/page/4746/8296/], tested in 512 patients with ALS, did not demonstrate a significant increase in survival versus placebo, although a trend of functional improvement was seen. The news has caused Trophos to lose its 10 million euro buyout agreement with Swiss company Actelion. Olesoxime's lack of effectiveness was partially attributed to the severity of the disease in trial participants, highlighting the critical need for biomarker research to enable earlier disease detection. More on the importance of biomarkers can be found here [http://www.researchals.org/page/4746/6481/0/13/] and here [http://mndresearch.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/why-we-need-biomarkers/].


Phase I Study Indicates GSK Drug is Safe for ALS Patients
December 2, 2011
GlaxoSmithKline’s anti-Nogo A drug (GSK1223249) was reported to be safe in ALS patients in a first in human clinical trial. The small phase I study also hinted at the drug’s efficacy by showing trends in respiratory function and muscle strength improvements. Nogo-A, a protein found to impair neuron regeneration, is found at higher than normal levels in people with ALS. A larger clinical trial is expected in 2012.


Cytokinetics Offers Upbeat Data from Mid-Stage Trial of ALS drug
November 30, 2011
Cytokinetics reports interim phase II data of CK-2017357 in ALS patients. Daily administration of varying drug doses was reported to be sufficiently tolerated with dizziness being the most common side effect among the 24 study participants. Cytokinetics plans to launch a third phase II study that will focus on patients currently taking Rilutek.