what is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

1. 1 What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is characterized by abnormal protein aggregation. Hence, there is a therapeutic approach that may target heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are cellular defense mechanisms with neuroprotective effects against these aggregates. The keystone of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment remains symptomatic. While there exists no cure for ALS, scientists, however, are working toward the development of therapies for this disease. There are currently three treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ALS. These are Rilutek (Riluzole; Covis Pharmaceuticals), Tiglutik (riluzole; oral suspension; ITF Pharma), and Radicava (Edaravone; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma). Various studies and researchers have reported the use of Rilutek in ALS, as it was approved in the 1990s. However, its effects are uncertain, extending life for about a couple of months. Recently, Radicava was approved by the US FDA in May 2017. This product is also approved by the Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) for the management of ALS. Besides this, Nuedexta is another product which has been approved by US FDA to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition characterized by sudden and unpredictable episodes of crying or laughing seen in people with ALS and other neurological conditions. There are dozens of clinical trials evaluating potential treatments enrolling people with ALS and their families. Hence, with increasing R&D activities, and positive results of these trials shall fuel the therapeutic market size of ALS. Expected launch of ODM- 109, Reldesemtiv, Arimoclomol, NurOwn and many others for treating ALS shall fuel the growth of the market size of ALS. Source: - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms