US Drug Firm To Seek Market Approval For Fampridine

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 05 Jun 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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A US drug company will seek marketing approval early next year for a drug which could improve mobility and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Acorda Therapeutics reported positive results following a second phase III clinical trial of the experimental drug Fampridine (4-aminopyridine) which showed improvement in walking speed during a 2-month study.

Almost 43 percent of people taking Fampridine showed consistent improvement in walking speed during the trail, compared with 9 per cent of people taking a placebo.

People who responded to the medicine, on average, required about 25 percent less time to walk a distance of 25 feet. Other positive results included increased leg strength in those on active treatment.

Dr Laura Bell said: "This is exciting news. MS can severely affect people's mobility and in turn their sense of independence so the MS Society would welcome any drug that is proven to help people with MS improve mobility and regain some of their freedom."

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