MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Stimulator for Spasticity, Tysabri Dosing Trial, Mobility Devices Contest, Stem Cell Phase 2 Trial

WeHealth, PathMaker Collaborating to Develop MyoRegulator as Noninvasive Treatment for Spasticity

I’m one of the many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) for whom spasticity is a significant problem. This is a nonmedicinal approach to dealing with it. I hope it doesn’t take too long to make this electrical stimulator available and, once it is, that it doesn’t cost an arm and a (spastic) leg to buy.

WeHealth by Servier and PathMaker Neurosystems have established a new partnership to develop and commercialize the first neuromodulation technology for noninvasive treatment of spasticity, the companies announced. …

The MyoRegulator uses two pairs of disposable skin-surface electrodes that deliver synchronized stimulation into two sites along the neural axis, at the spinal outflow and peripheral nerve controlling the affected muscle.

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Biogen Starts Phase 3b Trial to Evaluate Tysabri Extended Interval Dosing in RRMS Patients

One of the drawbacks of being treated with Tysabri (natalizumab) is the increased risk of contracting the brain disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The risk increases as the length of treatment extends past two years. However, some neurologists believe that the PML potential becomes less likely if the interval between doses is increased to longer than one month. (When I was treated with Tysabri my interval was increased from one month to two months after two years of treatment.) Now, Tysabri’s manufacturer is testing this concept in a clinical trial.

Biogen announced the start of a global Phase 3b clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extended interval dosing with Tysabri in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Results of the six-week dosing interval will be compared with the approved standard interval dosing regimen, which consists of intravenous injections (300 mg) every four weeks.

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Five Finalists Vie for $1 Million Prize in Mobility Unlimited Challenge

Some pretty cool ideas are being worked on to help people with mobility challenges get around more easily. They include a bike-share type of service using electric scooters, an affordable electrical cuff that counters foot drop, an ultralight manual wheelchair that self-balances, and two exoskeleton projects.

Five finalists remain in the running for the $1 million prize being offered in the Mobility Unlimited Challenge, a global competition to promote the development of innovative solutions for personal mobility devices.

A panel of expert judges selected the finalists from among 80 applications submitted by teams from 28 countries. The projects included different technological approaches to overcome the limitations of mobility devices to help improve the mobility and independence of people with lower-limb paralysis, including multiple sclerosis patients.

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BrainStorm Expands Production of Autologous Stem Cell Therapy NurOwn for Phase 2 Trial in Multiple Sclerosis

The United States needs to step on the accelerator when it comes to approving stem cell treatments for people with MS. This clinical trial, involving mesenchymal stem cells, will hopefully bring us closer to that day.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced that the production of its therapy NurOwn will be expanded to support upcoming clinical trials, namely a Phase 3 trial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and a Phase 2 trial in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

BrainStorm’s proprietary, stem cell-based technology called NurOwn consists of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, meaning cells from an individual that are reinserted into the same person. These stem cells generate molecules called growth factors that can help neurons survive longer at or near the site of injury or damage, and are being evaluated as a treatment for various neurodegenerative diseases.

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