Key Takeaways:
- Masitinib boosts 5-year ALS survival rate to 42.3 percent
- Study shows a 79-month median survival gain over predictions
- Nearly half of long-term survivors maintained quality of life
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AB Science ALS drug masitinib shows 2-fold survival benefit
AB Science reported its drug masitinib delivered a 2-fold improvement in survival for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, with a 5-year survival rate of 42.3 percent from disease onset.
The data, published on the preprint server medRxiv, comes from the company's phase 2b/3 AB10015 study of the drug at a 4.5 mg/kg/day dose, according to a company press release.
The study highlighted a median overall survival of 121 months for long-term masitinib-treated survivors, a 79-month gain compared to the 42 months predicted for this cohort by the European Network to Cure ALS (ENCALS) model. For patients who started treatment before a complete loss of functionality, the 5-year survival rate from disease onset reached 52.9 percent, underscoring the importance of early intervention.
Among patients who survived past the five-year mark, 49 percent maintained a satisfactory quality of life, defined as not needing mechanical assistance such as ventilation, gastrostomy, or a wheelchair. This suggests the drug could preserve function in addition to extending life, a critical factor for patients with the neurodegenerative disease.
The positive long-term data validates masitinib as a potential breakthrough for a disease with few effective treatments. Investors will now watch for AB Science's next steps toward regulatory submission and potential approval, which could unlock a significant market.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
