The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital has unveiled ALS MyMatch, a groundbreaking early-phase clinical trial network program supported by a $2 million philanthropic grant. The initiative requires matched fundraising within the next 12 months and aims to transform the landscape of ALS drug development through biomarker-driven clinical trials.
Innovative Approach to Drug Development
The program introduces a patient-centered approach for screening experimental and repurposed drugs in Phase 1b/2a clinical trials across multiple experienced trial centers. By incorporating biomarker-driven patient selection, ALS MyMatch ensures that participants are matched to treatments based on their specific disease biology, potentially increasing the likelihood of treatment response.
"We are thrilled to launch ALS MyMatch, and excited about the potential this initiative holds for ALS research," says Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, Director of the Healey & AMG Center for ALS and Executive Director of the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute. "This early phase trial initiative will not only advance the science of ALS research but serve as a pathway for expanding treatment options for patients."
Accelerating Drug Development Through Precision Medicine
The initiative emphasizes critical components of early-phase trials, including:
- Target population identification
- Drug target engagement demonstration
- AI-driven drug discovery approaches
- Biomarker-based patient selection
Dr. Suma Babu, Principal Investigator of ALS MyMatch and co-director of the MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute (NCRI), explains, "At the heart of ALS MyMatch lies the value of rigor and innovation to confidently answer critical scientific questions in early stages of drug development and thoughtfully inform future therapeutic development in ALS."
Expanding Research Capabilities
Currently, more than 50 experimental drugs await early-phase clinical trials before proceeding to pivotal clinical efficacy testing. Successful candidates from ALS MyMatch may advance to the HEALEY ALS platform trial or proceed as standalone trials.
The program builds on the Healey Center's track record of innovation, following successful initiatives such as:
- The first expanded access program (EAP)
- PREVENT ALS study investigating early biological markers
- Collaborative partnerships with top ALS clinical trial sites
"The team at the MGH NCRI has embraced team science for over three decades, and through this program, we will strengthen our collaborations with top ALS clinical trial sites," note Dr. James Berry and Dr. Sabrina Paganoni, co-directors of the MGH NCRI.
