Novartis Halts Development Of VHB937 After ASTRALS Phase 2 Trial Fails To Meet Endpoint

(RTTNews) - Novartis (NVS) announced on August 25, 2026, that its ASTRALS Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating VHB937 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis did not meet its primary or secondary endpoints, leading the company to discontinue development of the investigational therapy. The study, which completed recruitment in 2025, enrolled 251 participants globally and was designed to assess whether VHB937 could slow disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly debilitating neurodegenerative condition with limited treatment options. Novartis stated it will continue supporting all participants as they complete their involvement in the trial and will present detailed findings at the 37th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Amsterdam on December 9-11, 2026. The company acknowledged the disappointment felt across the ALS community, including patients, families, investigators, and advocacy groups, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to advancing scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases despite the setback. Novartis extended gratitude to trial participants, caregivers, researchers, clinical sites, and ALS organizations whose contributions have helped deepen knowledge and drive innovation in ALS research. As the ALS field continues to evolve, Alector Inc., (ALEC) remains one of the notable companies pursuing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including programs targeting ALS-related pathways -- underscoring the competitive landscape in which Novartis operates. NVS has traded between $121.57 and $170.46 over the past year. The stock closed Wednesday's trading at $138.70, up 0.06%. In pre-market trading, the stock is at $139.44, up 0.53%.

Novartis Halts Development Of VHB937 After ASTRALS Phase 2 Trial Fails To Meet Endpoint

Інші новини компанії