Early stage failure shows more work is needed in ALS

East and West Coast-based American firms Biogen (Nasdaq: BIIB) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IONS) are dropping development of BIIB078, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) candidate.

The companies have been working on the investigational antisense oligonucleotide for certain people with ALS, but results from a Phase I study were not strong enough to support continuation of the program.

In the trial, BIIB078 was generally well-tolerated, but no secondary efficacy endpoints were met, and it did not demonstrate clinical benefit.