Acorda’s MS pill may also work in stroke patients

Markus MacGill

pharmaphorum

Ampyra (dalfampridine), a multiple sclerosis drug that has done well for its maker Acorda, is also showing promise for a potential stroke indication.

Acorda – an exception among biotechs since turning a profit out of its MS pill – intends to put Ampyra into further clinical development for stroke.

“Improvement in walking was measured by the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW). Using the full crossover design, walking speed increased while participants were taking dalfampridine-ER compared to placebo.”

“Participants also showed a positive change on the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) scale while taking dalfampridine-ER compared to placebo. The FIM scale assesses an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, eating, and walking independently.”

Acorda press statement.

“There were clear efficacy signals in the [Ampyra] post-stroke deficits trial and we therefore plan to proceed with a clinical development programme for this indication.”

Ron Cohen, Acorda chief executive.

Another small study examined the potential to use Ampyra against cerebral palsy but appears to have produced an underwhelming response.

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