ALSA Sends Information Regarding Public Policy Conference

Following is from an email received from the ALS Association:

Do you want to hear the latest news about clinical trials taking place now that show great promise for treating ALS? Then join us at the 2011 National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, which will be held in Washington DC May 8-10. Researchers from Biogen Idec, Knopp Biosciences and the biopharmaceutical company Cytokinetics will participate in a plenary session during the conference to update the ALS community about their companies' trials which are testing new treatments for ALS.

Visit The ALS Association website (http://www.alsa.org/advocacy/advocacy-day/) and register and reserve your hotel room TODAY! Time is running out as the deadline to receive reduced conference registration and hotel rates is this Friday, April 8!

The State of ALS Research Plenary Session: Biogen Idec/Knopp Biosciences: Last week, the first person with ALS enrolled in a Phase III trial of dexpramipexole. The drug has shown promise during earlier trials, including showing a trend towards slowing functional decline and a trend toward extending survival. The drug has been granted Fast Track status by the FDA, which may expedite its review. Additional information about the trial is available here: http://www.alsa.org/news/archive/dexpramipexole-phase3.html.

Cytokinetics: The company currently is testing a drug that may delay the onset and magnitude of fatigue in people with ALS and enable them to better perform activities of daily living. The drug currently is in a Phase IIa trial. Additional information about the drug is available here: http://www.cytokinetics.com/pdf/ALSFactSheet.pdf.

At the plenary session, ALS Association Chief Scientist, Dr. Lucie Bruijn will join researchers from the companies as she leads an interactive discussion about these and other exciting clinical trials that are underway in the United States and around the world. The interactive format of the session will provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions and receive the latest news about potential breakthroughs in the treatment of ALS.

To register and learn more about the 2011 conference program, go to http://www.alsa.org/advocacy/advocacy-day/. Register TODAY!