PharmAust (ASX:PAA) is launching a Phase 1 clinical trial of monepantel (MPL) for the treatment of motor neuron disease (MND) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
The trial is enabled by contributions from the Australian Fight MND campaign.
MND remains a terminal disease without effective treatment or cure. FightMND's funding of over $880,000, is enabling the PharmAust trial of monepantel.
Monepantel is a novel, potent and safe inhibitor of the mTOR pathway that has demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy in a previous clinical trial to influence cancers and shown effects in preclinical investigations of neurodegenerative diseases such as MND.
PharmAust said auxiliary preparations for the MND trial commencement are nearing completion awaiting final technical and regulatory sign-offs of the tablet.
It said the trial will test the safety and tolerability of monepantel in patients living with MND. It will look for signs the drug can slow disease progression.
Chief scientific officer Dr Richard Mollard said, "We are pleased with the development of our Phase 1 MPL trial for MND, and look forward to commencing recruitment. We are grateful for the continued support from FightMND and thank everyone supporting the Big Freeze 8 and Fight MND."
