In early November, the ALS Therapy Development Institute convened leaders across the field of ALS research and therapy development, as well as ALS patients and their families, at the 7th annual Leadership Summit. The major message was that 2011 has been a remarkable year for progress in ALS research and development of therapies. Today, there are more drugs in preclinical development and in clinic trials than ever before. Experts agreed that there is not likely to be a single cure, but a combination of therapies will be needed to combat this complex disorder. The momentum is building and it is perhaps now the most crucial time in the history of ALS, both for patients and for TDI.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Myles Axton, editor of Nature Genetics magazine included the following leaders: Henri Termeer, former CEO of Genzyme; Dr. George Scangros, CEO of Biogen Idec; Dr. Christopher Austin, Managing Director of Healthcare Ventures; Douglas Onsi, Science Director of the NIH Nation Center for Translational Therapeutics. Dr. Axton published an editorial of the outcomes from the discussion in the December 2011 Edition of Nature Genetics (Vol. 43), which is available online.
All expressed optimism about the present-day search for ALS therapies. Onsi referred to it as “an era of transformation in ALS research” and “an incredibly hopeful time.” “Today,” Termeer noted, “the sense is that we can get there.”
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