Keros to Start Rinvatercept DMD Trial in Q1 2026, Plans ALS Regulatory Talks
Keros Therapeutics plans a phase II DMD trial of rinvatercept in Q1 2026 and regulatory talks for ALS in H2 2026. Cash stands at $383 million with runway into H1 2028.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative motor neuron disease characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to worsening weakness, speech/swallowing impairment, and respiratory failure. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Keros Therapeutics plans a phase II DMD trial of rinvatercept in Q1 2026 and regulatory talks for ALS in H2 2026. Cash stands at $383 million with runway into H1 2028.
New 3D brain tissue models, laser imaging, and organoid sensors aim to speed drug development for Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. The LMU model replicates Alzheimer’s aggregates, MIT’s laser images the blood-brain barrier at record speed, and UNC’s sensor records neural activity without damaging organoids.
Prothena Corporation plc will report its second quarter and first six months of 2026 financial results on August 6, 2026, after U.S. market close. No conference call will be held, consistent with past practice. The company focuses on neurodegenerative and rare amyloid diseases.
Researchers have developed an integrated live-cell imaging and cytometry workflow to monitor brain organoid differentiation. Separately, experiments on the International Space Station show that microgravity accelerates organoid aging by roughly a decade in 30 days, offering a faster model for neurodegenerative diseases. These advances could enhance drug discovery and neurodevelopmental research.
Actor Eric Dane died of ALS at age 53 in February 2026, less than a year after announcing his diagnosis. Former NFL star Chris Johnson also revealed his ALS diagnosis at age 39. The cases highlight the neurodegenerative disease, which affects about 33,000 people in the U.S. and has no cure.
Biotech companies announced new financings: HMNC closed a $50M Series B, Cartesian secured a $150M credit facility, Waiv raised $33M, and Brainstorm raised $1M. KET01 showed early efficacy but missed its primary endpoint.
NeuroSense Therapeutics reported that its ALS drug PrimeC achieved a statistically significant 65% reduction in the risk of death in a Phase 2b trial. Separately, the company was granted a South Korean patent covering PrimeC's composition, formulation, and use for ALS treatment through 2042.
Two experimental ALS therapies showed promise in recent clinical developments. Interim Phase 1/2 data suggest the antisense oligonucleotide QRL-201 restores a critical nerve protein and may slow disease decline, with a Phase 3 trial planned for 2027. Meanwhile, the oral therapy neflamapimod has been selected for testing in the UK's EXPERTS-ALS platform study, with first results expected this spring.
Anterior raised $40M to accelerate health plan AI adoption, bringing total funding to $64M. Other deals include Findhelp's $250M investment, Grow Therapy's $150M Series D, and Bexorg's $23M Series A.
The FDA granted Fast Track designation to COYA 302 for ALS. Phase 1 data showed tolerability and biomarker effects, and the phase 2 ALSTARS trial is underway.
| NCT ID | Title | Status | Phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07739134 |
Multimodal Tracking of Therapy Activity and Effort During Rehabilitation |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07688239 |
The BANYAN Trial, an ALS MyMatch Trial Evaluating Safety, Biomarker Activity, and Microglial Activation of Nasal Foralumab |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE2 |
| NCT07543367 |
INdependence Through Endovascular Neuroprosthetic Technology (INTENT): an Early Feasibility Study |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07460037 |
Chinese-Specific Speech Imagery Coding Using High-Density ECoG |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07446114 |
Functional Outcomes and Control Using Synchron BCI - Canada |
RECRUITING | NA |
| NCT07400393 |
Healey ALS MyMatch Common Screening Protocol |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07396818 |
Kamlanoflast In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | PHASE1/PHASE2 |
| NCT07341334 |
Digital Speech Markers for Monitoring ALS in Spanish Speakers |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING | |
| NCT07193953 |
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) |
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING | PHASE1 |
| NCT07007390 |
Systems Biology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) |
NOT_YET_RECRUITING |