ALS Clinical Trials 2023

Browse 68 Als Medical Studies Across 113 Cities

11 Phase 3 Trial · 405 Als Clinics

Reviewed by Michael Gill, B. Sc.
10 Als Clinical Trials Near Me
Top Hospitals for Als Clinical Trials
Image of Massachusetts General Hospital in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
10Active Trials
62All Time Trials for Als
2001First Als Trial
Image of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Ontario.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto
5Active Trials
13All Time Trials for Als
2014First Als Trial
Image of Mayo Clinic in Florida.
Mayo Clinic
Jacksonville
5Active Trials
15All Time Trials for Als
2003First Als Trial
Image of Emory University in Georgia.
Emory University
Atlanta
5Active Trials
19All Time Trials for Als
2003First Als Trial
Image of Augusta University in Georgia.
Augusta University
Augusta
4Active Trials
8All Time Trials for Als
2016First Als Trial
Top Cities for Als Clinical Trials
Image of Boston in Massachusetts.
Boston
21Active Trials
Massachusetts General HospitalTop Active Site
Image of New York in New York.
New York
16Active Trials
Hospital for Special SurgeryTop Active Site
Als Clinical Trials by Phase of TrialAls Clinical Trials by Age GroupMost Recent Als Clinical TrialsTop Treatments for Als Clinical Trials
Treatment Name
Active Als Clinical Trials
All Time Trials for Als
First Recorded Als Trial
DNL343
2
3
2020
Treatment
2
2
2003
Accelerated cTBS Neuromodulation
1
1
2023
PTC857
1
1
2022
AP-101
1
2
2019
Recently Completed Studies with FDA Approved Treatments for Als
Treatment
Year
Sponsor
Pridopidine
2020
Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD
AMX0035
2020
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Theracurmin HP
2020
Richard Bedlack, M.D., Ph.D.
CNM-Au8
2020
Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD
Zilucoplan
2020
Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD
Verdiperstat
2020
Merit E. Cudkowicz, MD

What Are ALS Trials?

ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a nervous system disease that causes loss of muscle control. The progressive condition is often called Lou Gehrig disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:

  • Weakness in limbs
  • Muscle cramps and twitching
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Slurred speech
  • Feeling clumsy or weak

ALS trials often focus on testing medications for the condition and their dosages and investigating potential new therapies. ALS trials also test technology to help those living with the condition communicate and live more independently.

Why Is ALS Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

According to the CDC, around 31,000 people in the US live with ALS, with approximately 5,000 new cases each year. According to ALS Canada, there are 200,000 people worldwide that have ALS.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, the only FDA-approved drugs are Relyvrio, Riluzole, and Edaravone. Research is being done to help expand treatments and care provided to people with ALS.

For example, in 2002: BrainGate at Tufts University was in the pilot stage of trial testing BrainGate2 sensors in the motor-related cortex. Their goal is to identify ways to restore some functionality for people who have lost abilities such as speech.

What Are The Types Of Treatments Available For ALS?

According to the Mayo Clinic, treatments for ALS focus on trying to slow down the progression of the disease and help a person live as full a life as possible with the condition. However, there has yet to be a drug or therapy that can reverse the damage already caused by the disease.

Current FDA-approved drugs are:

  • Relyvrio
  • Riluzole (Rilutek)
  • Edaravone (Radicava)

Physical therapy assists patients in using their ever-changing bodies as best as possible. There are also breathing therapies, devices, and surgeries to help a person continue to breathe. ALS care teams also assist with nutrition plans, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Current trials are looking at new medications, dosages, therapies, and devices to help a person living with ALS.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For ALS?

2020: Healey ALS Platform Trial – Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital, in partnership with Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS), began enrolling participants for their multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, perpetual, adaptive platform trial. They are looking at experimental treatments, including Zilucoplan, Verdiperstat, and CNM-Au8 nanocrystalline gold.

2020: CENTAUR Trial: Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS concluded phase 3 of the trial of AMX035. Its success led to Amylyx receiving FDA approval for Relyvrio in 2023, which is two drugs: sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol. The trial found that Relyvrio would slow the decline of a person with ALS and extend their life.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders / Researches In ALS Clinical Trial Research?

James Berry, MD, MPH, is the Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Multidisciplinary ALS clinic, Director of the MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute, and Chief of the Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases. He focuses on ALS identification markers in the blood and spinal fluid.

P. Hande Ozdinler, Ph.D., leads the ALS research laboratory called The Ozdinler Lab. The lab focuses on motor neurons and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that can lead to their degeneration. Ozdinler is also an Associate Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She was the senior author of the study that identified the first compound to repair degenerating upper motor neurons impacted by diseases such as ASL.

About The Author

Michael Gill preview

Michael Gill - B. Sc.

First Published: October 25th, 2021

Last Reviewed: September 13th, 2023

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