Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease impacting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, reducing muscle function and control. ALS can be traced to mutations in over 25 different genes and is often caused by a combination of multiple sub-forms of the condition. Cases usually cannot be predicted, although a small percentage is inherited. ALS has a devastating impact on patients and families, with patients’ average life expectancy of three years, and no current cure for the disease.
Through DNA analysis and clinical studies, we now know that there are several distinct ALS pathologies that need to be addressed to achieve success. The majority of ALS patients do not benefit from currently available treatments, and QurAlis is working to change this through a precision medicine approach. Our researchers take cells directly from ALS patients and use them to model the disease in the lab to identify potential avenues to treatment. We keep ALS patients and families top-of-mind as we advance our therapeutic programs and continue to investigate new treatment options, fighting to conquer this devastating disease.