Copaxone To Be Studied in ALS Overseas

The Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva Neuroscience, developer of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), will conduct a large-scale trial of the drug in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in five European countries, the United Kingdom and Israel. Copaxone, approved to treat multiple sclerosis, is thought to alter the immune system and dampen the immune response.

The drug was recently found safe and well tolerated in ALS patients in a small pilot study at the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig MDA/ALS Center at Columbia University in New York.

Paul Gordon, the center’s co-director, says he will wait for the results of Teva’s trial before conducting further U.S. testing.