August 16, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD ‘Personal Zen’ Mobile App Helps to Ease Anxiety in Pediatric-onset MS Personal Zen, a digital anxiety management tool developed by Wise Therapeutics, eased anxiety and broad negative moods in people with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the results of a pilot study. This app-based therapy, a “mobile gamified version” of what is known as attention bias modification…
August 11, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Nurse With MS Wins Grant to Find Severity, Progression Biomarkers A nurse and PhD candidate with multiple sclerosis (MS) is looking for disease biomarkers that can help healthcare providers better estimate how individual cases of MS will progress. The goal of Stephanie Buxhoeveden’s research, now supported by a grant from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), is…
August 2, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Botox Approved to Treat Spasticity in 8 New Arm, Hand Muscles The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the label for Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) in adults for the treatment of upper limb spasticity — a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) — to include eight more muscles. The new approval will allow Botox to be used to treat…
July 28, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD FDA Greenlights Stem Cells Trial Aiming to Improve Quality of Life The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to a Phase 2 clinical trial that will assess the efficacy of using adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate multiple sclerosis (MS). The non-profit Hope Biosciences Stem Cell Research Foundation (HBSCRF),…
July 26, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD At-home Tysabri Infusions Appear as Safe, Effective as Those at Clinics Tysabri (natalizumab) infusions given in the home to people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) save money and are more convenient, while apparently as safe and effective as those given in clinical settings, a pilot study comparing the two delivery methods reported. Nonetheless, its researchers recommended larger trials be…
July 21, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Low Temelimab Doses in RRMS Trial Among Reasons for Poor Results Low doses selected and underlying inflammatory disease may have confounded the ability of temelimab to significantly affect neuroinflammation in a Phase 2 trial in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. GeNeuro‘s investigational MS therapy did, however, show other evidence of clinical benefit that supports its continued development, researchers…
July 20, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Nerve Tissue Scarring May Explain MS Progression Nerve tissue scars associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) show marked differences from those of similar neurodegenerative disorders, according to a recent study. MS-associated inflammation causes brain and spinal cord lesions (nerve tissue scarring) that often are bigger and last longer than those of two other demyelinating diseases: myelin oligodendrocyte…
July 1, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Destroying Myelin-damaging Immune Cells May Be New Therapy Vesicles containing the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin can be used to destroy the aberrant, myelin-damaging immune cells that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), suppressing the progression of the neurodegenerative disorder, according to recent research findings using a mouse model. If further validated, this technique could provide physicians with a new…
June 25, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD No Negative Effects on Infants Whose Moms Take Copaxone While Breastfeeding Treatment with Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), an approved therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), while breastfeeding does not appear to be harmful to infants in their first years, a study has found. Investigators observed no differences between infants whose mothers were taking Copaxone and those whose mothers weren’t…
June 1, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Nasal Foralumab Led to Promising Immune Effects in Phase 1 Trial Nasally-administered foralumab, a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), appears safe and well-tolerated, and shows immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects in healthy volunteers, an updated analysis from a Phase 1 trial has found. “Nasal administration of Foralumab is a unique approach to treat…
May 26, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD First SPMS Patient Dosed With Foralumab Nasal Spray Foralumab, an investigational anti-CD3 antibody that is administered via a nasal spray, has been given for the first time to a person with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). It was administered under an Individual Patient Expanded Access Program, which earned approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in…
May 25, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Ponvory Approved in EU for Active Relapsing Forms of MS The European Commission has approved Ponvory (ponesimod) to treat adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and active disease, as defined by clinical or imaging features. The approval, which follows a recommendation from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in March, covers clinically isolated…
May 25, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Prize Awarded to Researcher of Microglia’s Role in Brain Diseases A professor at the University of Freiburg, in Germany, was awarded the Novo Nordisk Prize for his research into the role of microglia in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease, and how they might be used as early warning signs of these disorders. Marco Prinz, MD,…
May 20, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD ‘Stop Multiple Sclerosis’ Is Theme of World Brain Day Stop Multiple Sclerosis is the theme of this year’s World Brain Day, taking place July 22 to raise global awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS) through seminars, conferences and other presentations. “Every year, we use World Brain Day to highlight an area of neurology that needs the world’s attention,”…
May 6, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Global Phase 3 Trials of Fenebrutinib Enrolling Relapsing and PPMS Patients Two global Phase 3 clinical trials comparing fenebrutinib, an investigational oral BTK inhibitor by Roche, with Aubagio (teriflunomide) are now enrolling adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), the National MS Society announced in a press release. The twin studies, called FENhance 1 (NCT04586023)…
April 30, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD FDA Rejects Under-the-skin Tysabri for Relapsing MS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected Biogen‘s request for approval of under-the-skin administration of Tysabri (natalizumab) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). “This response from the FDA does not affect the intravenous administration of Tysabri, a well-established high-efficacy treatment with a…
April 30, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD MS Society of Canada Grant to Support AI in Predicting Disease Course The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has awarded CA$1 million to a project helping doctors who treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients make more personalized treatment decisions through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The society awarded the five-year grant (worth about $814,800) to Douglas Arnold, MD, a neurologist with…
April 29, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD TG Expands Contract With Samsung Biologics to Produce Ublituximab TG Therapeutics has expanded its contract with Samsung Biologics to manufacture ublituximab, an investigational therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). “Samsung is the global leader in biologics manufacturing and we are happy to have them as our partner as we look forward to the potential commercialization…
April 28, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #AANAM – Vumerity Showing Tolerability, Efficacy in Ongoing EVOLVE-MS-1 Trial Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. Vumerity (diroximel fumarate) continues to be safe and well-tolerated, in addition to reducing measures of disease activity in people…
April 27, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #AANAM – Mavenclad, for RRMS, Lowers Long-term Need for Other DMTs Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. A majority of the relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients given Mavenclad (cladribine) tablets in the CLARITY Phase 3 trial did…
April 22, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #AANAM – Ublituximab Reduced Relapse Rate, Disability Progression in Twin Trials Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. Ublituximab, an investigational therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly outperformed Aubagio (teriflunomide) at reducing patients’…
April 21, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #AANAM – Kesimpta, Added to NHS in UK, Prevents Worsening in New Patients Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. Note: This story was updated April 21, 2021, to clarify that Kesimpta will be available in the next three months…
April 6, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Rates of MS Seem to Rise With Nations’ Prosperity Rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) appear to rise with measures of prosperity, occurring more frequently in developed countries, according to a recent study. The reasons for such disparities may be linked to better access to diagnostic facilities in developed countries, as well as increased exposure to factors, such as…
April 5, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Reeve Foundation Launches Support Groups for People Affected by Paralysis The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation has launched virtual support groups for people living with paralysis — either due to multiple sclerosis (MS) or other conditions — and their caregivers. Paralysis in some or all limbs occurs in MS and other neurological disorders, often exacerbating feelings of social…
April 1, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Wise Will Seek FDA Approval for Digital Anxiety Management Therapy Wise Therapeutics intends to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of an anxiety management therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), following the positive results of a clinical trial. In addition to conducting a proof-of-concept study in MS, Wise tested its digital technique — called attention bias…
March 30, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Sanofi Genzyme Launches Recruitment Website for Tolebrutinib Trials Sanofi Genzyme has launched a website to help connect people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to one of the company’s four ongoing clinical trials testing its investigational therapy tolebrutinib. Interested men and women may qualify for a clinical trial if they are…
March 29, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Ponvory Recommended for Approval in EU for Relapsing Forms of MS A branch of the European Medicines Agency has recommended that Ponvory (ponesimod) be approved to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults with active disease. This positive opinion from agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) covers clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and active secondary…
March 24, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Health Canada OKs Self-administered Kesimpta for Adults With Active RRMS Health Canada has approved Kesimpta (ofatumumab) for the treatment of adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who have active disease, as defined by clinical and imaging features. In contrast with other B-cell-targeting therapies used in MS, patients can self-administer a precise dose of Kesimpta at home using the Sensoready…
March 15, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD Ampyra Aids More Than Walking in MS, But Side Effects May Be of Concern Treatment with oral Ampyra (dalfampridine) improves walking ability, finger dexterity, and cognition in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), an analysis of nine randomized clinical trials shows. But the investigators caution the therapy should be taken only under expert medical guidance, due to its higher rate of potential side effects. The…
March 12, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD UK Study to Compare Struggles of Patients With ‘Long-COVID-19’ and MS Researchers in the U.K. are seeking patients who found it difficult to return to work or school after a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) or COVID-19 to participate in a survey that aims to gather more data on the physical and mental health of individuals with these conditions.