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Positive Results for Phytopharm Pre-Clinical ALS Model
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January 16, 2012
According to preliminary data announced by Phytopharm, lead drug candidate Cogane has demonstrated efficacy in a genetic preclinical model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The study was performed in a model that has a mutation in the SOD1 gene (SOD1G93A); mutation of the SOD1 gene is a known cause of ALS in humans. In this study Cogane™ was administered orally for 50 days, commencing after ALS type symptoms were manifest. This is therefore considered to be a model of severe, late-stage ALS.
The main findings included:
• Administration of Cogane resulted in a 30-50% improvement in muscle strength in one muscle type compared to both the untreated control group and a group treated with riluzole (currently the only product marketed for the treatment of ALS).
• Treatment with Cogane also resulted in an increase in the number of motor units (a measure of functional motor neurones) compared with both the untreated and riluzole treated control groups.
• Treatment effects were less clear in a second muscle type which was more severely damaged in the model, though the group treated with Cogane again showed an improvement in strength compared to the riluzole treated group.
Phytopharm has obtained orphan drug status in Europe and the US for Cogane in ALS.
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