February 15, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Tascenso ODT launches in US with patient support program Tascenso ODT, an approved alternative to Gilenya (fingolimod), is now available to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the U.S., where itās being marketed by Cycle Pharmaceuticals. The launch comes about a month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a 0.5 mg dose of the…
February 15, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Frequency moving to test agents with remyelination potential Frequency TherapeuticsĀ announced that it is shifting its focus to advancing small molecules that aim to restore myelin, the protective cover around nerve fibers that is damaged and lost with multiple sclerosis (MS). This decision follows the failure of an investigative treatment for people with acquired hearing loss to…
February 14, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Zeposia’s long-term use doesn’t affect heart health, Phase 3 trials show Long-term use ofĀ Zeposia (ozanimod)Ā did not adversely affect the heart of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated for one or two years in Phase 3 clinical trials, with noĀ clinically significant changes in cardiac function reported. Data on people enrolled in the two studies were retrospectively evaluated, as the therapy…
February 14, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS CNM-Au8 preserves white matter in RRMS patients’ brains: Phase 2 trial Treatment withĀ CNM-Au8, anĀ experimental oral liquid therapy, led to statistically significant improvements in the health of connections between brain regions for people with stable relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). That’s according to new MRI data from the Phase 2 VISIONARY-MS trial (NCT03536559), which tested CNM-Au8 against a placebo in…
February 13, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Dietitian advice assists MS patients to improve calcium intake: Trial A tailored diet plan from a dietitian may help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ingest more calcium from foods, which could make their bones stronger and less prone to osteoporosis. Thatās according to data from CalciCoach (NCT02664623), a clinical study that compared the amount of dietary calcium consumed…
February 13, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ‘Mini-brain’ models point to poorer oligodendrocyte growth in PPMS Using stem cells derived from people with multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers developed cerebral organoids, or “mini-brains,” to better study the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the neurodegenerative disorder. Initial analysis showed that patient-derived stem cells, especially those from people with primary progressive MS (PPMS), tend to be…
February 10, 2023 News by Mary Chapman New remote monitoring system to be tested in MS patients in rehab Datos Health, a remote care automation company, is collaborating with the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, in Illinois, on a study that will gauge the effectiveness of remote therapy monitoring in patients with various conditions and disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, based in Chicago, provides…
February 10, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Older MS patients with stable disease may safely stop DMTs: Study People over 60 with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have stable disease may discontinue their disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) without an added risk of relapses or worsening disability, according to a small study. At that age, only the presence of lesions with active inflammation and an Expanded Disability…
February 9, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Levels of GFAP protein in blood may predict ‘silent progression’ of MS Measuring levels of the protein GFAP in blood can help to predict disability progression that occurs without relapses ā so-called silent progression ā in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study reports. These findings may have “clinical implications for patient management and development of novel drugs,” the…
February 9, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Health Canada clears Phase 1 trial of Lucid-MS in healthy volunteers FSD Pharma will soon launch a first-in-human trial testing Lucid-21-302, known as Lucid-MS ā its novel chemical treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā ā in healthy volunteers. Health Canada has cleared the company to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of the investigational therapy, FSD Pharma announced in a…
February 8, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Berberine, plant compound, eases disease severity in MS mouse model Treatment with berberine, a compound found in many plants, eased disease severity and showed anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study reports. “These results confirmed that treatment with berberine efficiently improved the disease in the animal model of MS,” the researchers wrote, noting…
February 8, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Ocrevus can be safe, effective for children with active RRMS: Study Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is a safe and effective treatment for patients under 18 with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a small study from Turkey suggests. Over about 2.5 years of the treatment, these pediatric patients experienced no relapses or MRI activity, and their disability level also improved, indicating…
February 7, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Primary progressive MS confirmed as own disorder in mouse study Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is driven by antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid around the brain and spinal cord ā but this is not the case in the more common relapsing forms of MS ā a new study done in mice suggests. Researchers say this result…
February 7, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Swallowing problems are common for MS patients, review study finds Nearly half of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience swallowing difficulties, which is notably higher than rates seen in the general population, according to a recent review study and meta-analysis. Because swallowing problems, or dysphagia, can lead to serious, sometimes life-threatening, complications, it is important for patients to be routinely…
February 6, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Mayzent, vitamin D combo alleviates MS signs in mouse study Using Mayzent (siponimod) and vitamin D3 as a combination therapy was found to improve motor function and promote remyelination ā restoring the damaged myelin sheath around nerve fibers āĀ in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). āOur results demonstrate for the first time the potential synergistic effects…
February 6, 2023 News by Mary Chapman Sesh, MS Canada partner to help MS patients with mental health To support the wellness journeys of Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS), digital healthcare company Sesh is partnering with MS Canada to provide free, unlimited access to its online mental health platform. The partnership allows patients to participate in virtual therapist-led support groups, and kickstarts research efforts…
February 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Biosimilar Comparable in Safety, Efficacy to Tysabri in Phase 3 Trial PB006, a biosimilar to Biogenās approved treatment Tysabri (natalizumab), showed similar safety and efficacy as the original medication in peopleĀ with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), according to data from a Phase 3 clinical trial. “The Antelope trial reported equivalence between [PB006 and Tysabri] treatment across efficacy, safety, and secondary…
February 3, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for MS, Other Clinical Programs FibroBiologics hasĀ launched an online crowdfunding campaign to support the development of potential therapies in the companyās pipeline and advance its clinical programs in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases. The campaign was begun in collaboration with StartEngine, an equity crowdfunding platform that facilitates investments in startup companies.
February 2, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Coconut Oil and Green Tea Lead to Gait, Balance Gains in MS Patients Supplementation with coconut oil and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea extract, in combination with a Mediterranean-style diet, was associated with improvements in balance and gait in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Those were the findings of a small pilot study in Spain, which also found that all participants,…
February 2, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Aubagio Significantly Lowers Plasma NfL Levels in TERIKIDS Trial Aubagio (teriflunomide) can significantly reduce plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) levels, a biomarker of nerve cell damage, in children and adolescents with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Thatās according to a new analysis of data from TERIKIDS (NCT02201108), the Phase 3 trial that supported expanding Aubagio’s indication in…
February 1, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Hi-res MRI Scanners May Bring MS’s Effect on the Cerebellum Into View Researchers were able to image the cerebellum ā a small, compact region of the brain that plays key roles in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases ā with greater clarity than ever before. Their imaging approach, which used MRI scanners equipped with powerful magnets, may help learn how…
February 1, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD MS Cognitive Problems Can Ease With Rehab, Mindfulness Training Two alternative treatments for the cognitive challenges people with multiple sclerosis (MS) can face in daily life ā cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) ā were found to helpful in a clinical trial. Patients randomized to either treatment approach in the REMIND-MS study had fewer…
January 31, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Rewind’s Remyelinating Therapy Pipeline Backed by New Investments Rewind Therapeutics has received new investments to support the development of its therapeutic candidates designed to promote remyelination in neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, the company is focused on advancing its lead candidate toward the clinic as it continues to build a pipeline of additional…
January 31, 2023 News by Mary Chapman Aging MS Patients Are Focus of UT Dell Medical School Initiative A team of scientists at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School are looking to establish best practices for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) in older adults, citing a relative lack of of research on the disease in people older than 50. Led by Leorah Freeman, MD, PhD,…
January 30, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Global Experts Agree on Criteria to Diagnose Optic Neuritis Researchers have developed a set of criteria to diagnose optic neuritis (ON) ā inflammation in the nerve fibers sending signals to and from the eye ā and identify whether it is caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) or other conditions. The criteria, developed by an international group of specialists,…
January 30, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD LAPIX, FDA Meeting Sets Way forĀ LPX-TI641 Clinical Development Lapix Therapeutics has met with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine how to advance its investigational treatment candidate LPX-TI641 into clinical trials for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The pre-investigational new drug (pre-IND) meeting is usually the first formal one companies seeking to…
January 27, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Fractalkine Found to Promote Remyelination in MS Mouse Model The signaling protein fractalkine was found to promote the repair of myelin ā the protecting coating around nerve fibers ā that is damaged by the mistaken immune attack that leads to multiple sclerosis (MS), a mouse study demonstrated. In an animal model of the disease, the molecule…
January 27, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Relapsing MS Therapy Briumvi Now Commercially Available in US TG Therapeutics’ Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy), a CD20 inhibitor recently approved for adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosisĀ (MS), is now commercially available in the U.S., the company announced. The treatment was approved in the U.S. late last year, with indications that includeĀ clinically isolated syndrome,Ā relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS),…
January 26, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Patient Dosing Starts in MS Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Oral SAR443820 Patient dosing has begun in a Phase 2 trial testing Denali Therapeutics‘ investigational oral RIPK1 inhibitor SAR443820 in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The clinical trial (NCT05630547) seeks to enroll about 168 patients, age 18ā60, with either relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), active and nonactive secondary progressive…
January 26, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Insufficient and Poor Sleep in Teen Years Increases Risk of MS: Study Teenagers with poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep ā those who sleep less than seven hours a night ā are 40% to 50% more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life than those who get adequate rest, according to a Swedish population-based study. Differences in sleep timing…