Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Archives

Tofersen

Tofersen is an investigational antisense medicine designed to inhibit the production of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which is a well understood genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Tofersen is currently being studied in the Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled ATLAS study to evaluate whether tofersen can delay clinical onset when initiated in presymptomatic individuals with ALS and a SOD1 genetic mutation. More details about ATLAS(NCT04856982) can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

About SOD1-ALS

SOD1-ALS is a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the SOD1 gene leading to a progressive loss of motor neurons. As a result, people with SOD1-ALS experience increasing muscle weakness, loss of movement, difficulty breathing and swallowing and eventually succumb to the disease. SOD1-ALS is diagnosed in approximately 2% of all ALS cases, impacting about 330 people in the United States. Approximately 5-10% of people with ALS are thought to have a genetic form of the disease; however, they may not have a known family history of the disease.

Safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authorities for the indications described.

Ulefnersen

Ulefnersen, formerly known as ION363, is an investigational antisense medicine designed to reduce the production of the fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein to treat people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the FUS gene. Ulefnersen is also known as Jacifusen (not an official USAN name) in honor of Jaci Hermstad, the first patient treated with the drug under an expanded access program. Because antisense-mediated reduction of mutant FUS protein in a FUS-ALS mouse model demonstrated the ability to prevent motor neuron loss, it is hypothesized that reduction of FUS protein will reverse or prevent disease progression in FUS-ALS patients.

About FUS-ALS

FUS-ALS is a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by muscle weakness, loss of movement, and difficulty breathing and swallowing, resulting in a severely declining quality of life and eventually death. Current treatment options are extremely limited, with no medicines that significantly slow disease progression. It is estimated that there are approximately 350 patients with FUS-ALS in G7 countries.

Safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authorities for the indications described.

ION541*

ION541, also known as BIIB105, is an investigational antisense medicine designed to reduce the production of the ataxin-2 (ATXN2) protein for the potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The reduction of ATXN2 has been shown to decrease aggregation of TDP-43, a toxic RNA binding protein found in most patients with ALS, including the approximately 90 percent of the ALS population with no known family history of ALS.

About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons resulting in a declining quality of life due to muscle weakness, loss of movement and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Currently, treatment options for patients with ALS are extremely limited with no drugs that significantly slow disease progression.

Safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authorities for the indications described.