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LONDON (Alliance News) - Oxford Biodynamics PLC said on Friday it has joined the REFINE-ALS study, designed to identify specific biomarkers in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The study is sponsored by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America Inc, and led by the Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Clinical Research Institute. The study is expected to start in the spring of 2019, with early interim analyses planned for later in the year.
Biomarkers to be identified and evaluated includes oxidative stress, inflammation, neuronal injury/ death and muscle injury.
Clinical assessments will be obtained from up to 300 patients in the US before starting treatment with edaravone, at the start of treatment and pre-specified time points for 24 weeks.
Oxford BioDynamics will use its technology platform EpiSwitch to evaluate biomarker panels.
So far, 30 genes are believed to play a role in ALS, however more information is required on their potential impact in the disease.
"ALS is a challenging disease and we're excited to apply the EpiSwitch technology to uncover more information about its progression. We are very pleased that OBD has been selected for this pivotal prospective trial led by the world leaders in ALS therapeutic development and patient care. As an extension of our previous work in ALS based on collaborations with ALS experts, this is an acknowledgment of the utility and value that EpiSwitch offers," said Chief Scientific Officer Alexandre Akoulitchev.
Shares in Oxford BioDynamics were 2.0% higher at 151.00 pence on Friday.
