Acorda's dalfampridine promising in mid-stage trial for post-stroke deficits

USA-based Acorda Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ACOR) has reported that a proof-of-concept trial (Phase II) found dalfampridine extended release (ER) tablets, marketed as Ampyra to help walking in multiple sclerosis patients, improved walking in people with post-stroke deficits.

Acorda’s shares advanced 8.5%, to $34.30 in midday trading yesterday (April 15) after rising as high as $35.75 earlier in the session, its highest level since June 2010, commented the Associated Press. Post-stroke deficits refer to chronic neurological deficits, such as impaired walking, motor and sensory function and manual dexterity that persist in people who have had a stroke.

“There were clear efficacy signals in the dalfampridine-ER post-stroke deficits trial and we therefore plan to proceed with a clinical development program for this indication. A top-line analysis of the data found dalfampridine-ER improved walking for people with mobility impairment resulting from ischemic stroke. Dalfampridine-ER treatment was also associated with a positive change versus placebo on a scale of functional independence in this study,” said Ron Cohen, Acorda’s president and chief executive. “We are analyzing the data further to better understand the entirety of the results. After we complete the analysis, we plan to discuss the development program with the FDA [Food and Drug Administration]. There are more than seven million stroke survivors in the United States, and approximately half of them have some lasting mobility impairment. There are no medications currently available for these patients, so new therapies are desperately needed,” Dr Cohen added.