QurAlis Strengthens ALS Pipeline with Candidates from Lilly

QurAlis said it is in-licensing preclinical compounds from Eli Lilly with disease modifying potential in the neurodegenerative condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Photo: Kasper Roet, CEO of QurAlis

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive disease impacting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS breaks down nerve cells, reducing muscle function and causing loss of muscle control. ALS can be traced to mutations in more than 25 different genes and is often caused by a combination of multiple sub-forms of the condition. Its average life expectancy is three years, and there is currently no cure for the disease.

“We believe that the compounds we are in-licensing from Lilly have great potential for the development of a targeted ALS therapy, and we intend to advance these compounds to the clinic and to patients in need,” said Kasper Roet, CEO of QurAlis.

Excitotoxicity in ALS, a defining characteristic of the disease, is caused by the hyperactivity of neurons that leads to the internal buildup of toxic proteins and metabolic waste, and the subsequent death of brain and spinal cord motor neurons. By aiming to prevent neuronal excitability with specifically targeted small molecule drugs, QurAlis’ excitotoxicity research program intends to halt this process and prevent disease progression in those ALS patients where this disease process plays a prominent role.

Author: Rare Daily Staff