ALS Clinical Trials: New Hope After Phase 3 Setbacks

“Some may look at recent failures and be discouraged,” wrote Richard Bedlack of the Duke ALS Clinic in Durham, North Carolina, in an e-mail to Alzforum. Thanks to advances in genetics and biomarkers, and a list of potential target pathways, “I think this is a time of unprecedented hope and excitement in ALS research”

Cytokinetics to Present Clinical Trial Data Relating to Tirasemtiv in Patients with ALS

Cytokinetics, Incorporated announced today that a platform presentation relating to tirasemtiv is scheduled to be presented at the 23rd International Symposium on ALS/MND to be held December 5-7, 2012 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers Hotel in Chicago, IL. The presentation will include pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interaction analyses from previously-reported clinical trials of tirasemtiv in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

New Phase 2b Trial of Tirasemtiv (CK-2017357) in ALS

South San Francisco biotechnology company Cytokinetics announced Sept. 10, 2012, that it plans to conduct a new phase 2b clinical trial of its oral drug tirasemtiv (formerly CK-2017357) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial is set to launch later this year.

Cytokinetics Announces Publication of Phase II Evidence of Effect Study of CK-2017357

Both patients and investigators perceived a dose-dependent benefit of CK-2017357 as measured by global impression of change. Maximum voluntary ventilation and submaximal handgrip endurance also improved.

Cytokinetics Announces Positive Results from Phase II Clinical Trial

CK-2017357 previously demonstrated potentially clinically relevant pharmacodynamic effects in a completed Phase IIa Evidence of Effect clinical trial in ALS patients.

Phase 2 Trial of ALS Drug Yields Encouraging Results

Some trial participants who were treated with the highest dose showed measurable improvement in motor function and muscle strength.