Phase 2 clinical trials expanded for Lou Gehrig's disease treatment

The Mayo Clinic will be involved in Phase II trials for a new ALS treatment.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is to expand Phase II ALS clinical trials for its NurOwn treatment to a third clinical site in the US.
The pharmaceutical company has revealed that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding to undertake the trial of the treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.
NurOwn is based on stem cell technology and aims to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow into specialised neuro-supporting cells that encourage growth of motor neuron cells and the re-establishment of nerve-muscle interaction.
Alon Natanson, chief executive of BrainStorm, said: "We are pleased that Mayo Clinic, a world renowned and prominent clinical centre, will be conducting the Phase II clinical trial of NurOwn in ALS.
"It is very encouraging that top tier US centres of excellence have expressed an interest in playing a leading part in our research," he added.
Initial results from Phase I testing indicate that the treatment can lead to positive clinical outcomes for ALS patients.