The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) will launch a Phase II clinical trial on TDI 132 (aka: fingolimod/Gilenya(R)) as a potential treatment for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) will launch a Phase II clinical trial on TDI 132 (aka: fingolimod/Gilenya(R)) as a potential treatment for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Fingolimod is currently being marketed by Novartis AG as Gilenya(R) as a treatment for some forms of multiple sclerosis.

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“Getting to this point was only possible because ALS patients, families and the community stood up and took ownership over funding the search for potential treatments for ALS. We are excited to announce this trial and will be working with the ALS community to ensure the funding is there to move as quickly as possible from starting enrollment to reporting results,” said Steve Perrin, Ph.D., CEO & CSO of ALS TDI. Perrin will make the official announcement during a company presentation as part of the 14th Annual BIO CEO Investor Conference taking place in New York City (www.bio.org) later this morning.