MediciNova, Inc. announced that an abstract concerning its COMBAT-ALS clinical trial, evaluating MN-166 (ibudilast) for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), has been selected for a poster presentation at the 35th International Symposium on ALS/MND. The symposium is scheduled to take place from December 6-8, 2024, in Montreal, Canada.
The poster presentation, titled "COMBAT-ALS Phase 2b/3 Trial of MN-166 (Ibudilast) in ALS: Trial Update and Interim Analysis Results," will provide an update on the trial's progress and present an interim analysis of the data. Björn Oskarsson, MD, FAAN, Associate Professor of Neurology at Jacksonville, FL, and the lead Principal Investigator of the COMBAT-ALS trial, will present the findings.
About the COMBAT-ALS Trial
The COMBAT-ALS trial is a Phase 2b/3 study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of MN-166 (ibudilast) in patients with ALS. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, respiratory failure. There is currently no cure for ALS, and existing treatments offer limited benefits in slowing disease progression.
MN-166 (Ibudilast): A Novel Therapeutic Approach
MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound with a dual mechanism of action. It inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). By targeting these pathways, MN-166 aims to reduce neuroinflammation and protect nerve cells from damage in ALS patients.
MediciNova is also developing MN-166 (ibudilast) for other neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). Additionally, it is being investigated for potential use in glioblastoma, Long COVID, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and substance use disorder. MN-166 was also previously evaluated in patients at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
MediciNova's Broader Pipeline
MediciNova is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Their pipeline includes MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), both of which have multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles. MN-166 (ibudilast) is currently in Phase 3 development for ALS and DCM and is Phase 3-ready for progressive MS. MN-001 (tipelukast) has been evaluated in a Phase 2 trial for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and a second Phase 2 trial for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing.
