Diseases

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, which means it is a chronic condition that gets worse over time as damage builds up in parts of the nervous system. It affects a specific type of neurons –the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord–and leads to a gradual loss of muscle function that eventually results in paralysis and death¹. ALS is not very common, affecting 4.42 in every 100,000 people². It is more frequent in men than in women^1,3, and the average survival is 2 to 5 years³.

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The exact cause of ALS is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There are two main types of ALS: sporadic, which accounts for about 90% of cases and occurs without a family history, and familial, which is inherited (related to genetic mutations) and accounts for about 10% of cases^1,3.

ALS typically appears in individuals aged 40 to 70^1,3 and presents a range of symptoms, including muscle weakness and atrophy, mobility issues such as lack of coordination and balance, muscle spasms, difficulty speaking clearly (dysarthria), trouble swallowing (dysphagia), fatigue, and emotional and cognitive changes⁴.

Close-up of a health professional in green uniform empathetically holding a patient's hand.

Symptoms worsen over time and significantly impact the quality of life of patients and their families by affecting their ability to perform daily activities independently.

Goutman SA, Hardiman O, Al-Chalabi A, et al. Recent advances in the diagnosis and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. 2022;21(5):480-493. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00465-8.
Xu L, Liu T, Liu L, et al. Global variation in prevalence and incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. Apr 2020;267(4):944–953. doi:10.1007/s00415-019-09652-y
Masrori P, Van Damme P. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a clinical review. Eur J Neurol. 2020;27(10):1918-1929. doi:10.1111/ene.14393
Muscular Dystrophy Association. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Signs and Symptoms [Internet]. MDA [Accessed October 18th, 2024]. Available from: https://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/signs-and-symptoms

FNP 254* – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Phase 3

FNP-254-CT-2501 PREVAiLS

Neurological disorders
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pridopidine in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Eclerosis.

Ongoing

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