Acorda reports on MS mobility trial

US biotechnology firm Acorda Therapeutics presented additional data from a second Phase III trial of Fampridine-SR (4-aminopyridine) in improving walking ability for people with multiple sclerosis at the World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, being held in Montreal, Canada.

Previously, the company announced that the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial met its primary endpoint with a significantly greater proportion of subjects taking Fampridine showing a consistent improvement in walking speed compared to patients in the placebo group (42.9% versus 9.3%; p<0.001). The study also met its secondary endpoint, leg strength, showing a statistically-significant increase compared to placebo (p=0.028).

In new data presented in a late-breaking news session, the response rate for Fampridine-treated patients was higher than placebo across all MS subtypes, including those being treated with immunomodulators, and the Fampridine group showed improvement in the Ashworth Score, which was significant in an unplanned analysis.