Prior to publishing in Nature Genetics, ALS TDI scientists presented early results and data to the field at several high-profile scientific conferences throughout 2009, including the annual meeting of the Society of Neuroscience in Chicago, the BIO International Conference in Atlanta, the first annual Partnering for Cures conference in New York, and the annual International Symposium for MND/ALS Research in Berlin, Germany.

"What the team in the lab has accomplished in terms of discovery and development is unprecedented, and something that the entire ALS community can be proud of. We believe that the next logical step for this molecule, ALS TDI 00846, is that it be advanced into the clinic for trial as soon as possible, and that is exactly what the executive team is focused on doing. However hopeful we are that this drug will be successful in slowing disease down, we know that we must continue to discover and build additional therapeutics so that all those affected by ALS have the chance to fight," remarked Augie Nieto, chairman of the board at ALS TDI, via email. Nieto was diagnosed with ALS in 2006 and has raised more than $21 million for ALS research. In addition to leading the ALS TDI board, Nieto is a national vice president of MDA and co-chairs its ALS Division along with his wife, Lynne.

SOURCE ALS Therapy Development Institute