Biogen to Halt Development of Drug for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

American pharmaceutical company Biogen Idec revealed that it will be stopping the development of its experimental drug to treat Lou Gehrig’s disease after it failed to satisfy its primary target in the late-stage clinical trial. The company revealed that its drug, known as dexpramipexole, was unable to improve the survival period or slow down the loss of muscular function among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Currently there is no cure for the disease with just one drug approved, Sanofi’s Rilutek, which is not too effective.

The ALS Association’s spokeswoman, Carrie Martin Munk said that a number of people were hoping for the successful development of the drug and added that the association will be working closely with other companies to develop future drugs to treat the disease.

“There was a lot of hope behind this particular treatment. Other companies are presently developing treatments to help fight ALS, so while we are saddened by today's news and had obviously hoped for better results, we're going to keep working with companies to advance treatments and bring them to patients as soon as possible”, Munk said.



Source-Medindia