Highly related to the Parkinson’s disease drug pramipexole (Mirapex), the neuroprotectant dexpramipexole (Empower) may slow the progression of ALS by keeping the power on in deteriorating motor nerves. Dexpramipexole is thought to maintain mitochondrial function in people with ALS by increasing the efficiency of ATP production.
A Phase III clinical trial on dexpramipexole was completed in 2012. Results and analysis reported by clinical trial sponsor Biogen Idec showed no statistically significant slowing of disease progression in people with ALS treated with dexpramipexole compared to those treated with placebo.
Biogen Idec's Doug Kerr MD PhD talks dexpramipexole - the lessons learned and the development of future ALS medicines going forward.
Emerging ALS medicines show promise. But key challenges remain to bring them forward to the ALS clinic according to new studies unveiled at ALS MND Chicago.
Emerging ALS mitochondrial-targeted medicines are gathering steam. But, these medicines may need to do a lot more than boost energy production to stop the disease.
ALS TDI scientists publish new results from preclinical study of dexpramipexole.
Joint rank analysis is introduced in hopes to better estimate efficacy of potential ALS drugs in clinical trials
300mg dexpramipexole daily slowed progression of ALS 30% according to a placebo-controlled phase II trial of 104 PALS
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