Apparently MBP8298, now called Dirucotide, is being scraped. I volunteered for this clinical trial and was turned down. I was hoping it would be another MS treatment. All trials on this will be scapped for now.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssP...54890120090727

BioMS Medical Corp Investor Relations said:

Dirucotide Does Not Meet Primary Endpoint in Phase III MAESTRO-01 Trial
In Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana and EDMONTON, Alberta, July 27, 2009 – Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and BioMS Medical Corp. (TSX: MS) today announced that dirucotide did not meet the primary endpoint of delaying disease progression, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), during the two-year MAESTRO-01 Phase III trial in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between dirucotide and placebo on the secondary endpoints of the study.

Sorry to hear this as it is one of the very few that was targeted for SPMS patients.

gmi

Hi gmi,
I know, it was disappointing to read this. This was ready to come out soon. A nurse friend of mine, who lives in Canada, told me about this drug when it first came out. Her MS Doctor discovered it years ago and sold it.

It is a chain of 17 Amino acids, unlike only 4 in Copaxone. It was to be a 5 minute infusion, once every 6 months. It sounded to good to be true. I hope they learn what went wrong and go on from there. (sigh)

It was to be Fast-Tracked by the FDA.

Drats.....foiled again!!! Why is it that we SPMS people can't seem to catch a break???? At least the LDN seems to have slowed down the progression of my MS, but I WANT MORE!!!! I'm sick of being in this stupid "chair" trying to live in a 'normal' world. At least I get a lot of stretching just trying to reach things and my legs are already non-ambulatory. Come on people........use those brains to help us with damaged ones!!!!!

I was on MBP8298 Im just crushed.Ater two and half years.I got a call today.They are ending the study. Sorry People.Jim

I feel really bad for BioMS. They have been working hard on this drug for over 10 years. They did everything in a very professional manner (unlike some big pharma companies) and kept the public informed along every step of the way. I can't imagine the cost of this project and then to end up with nothing!

Harry

Did it help anyone? Did Phase II studies show any good results? If it helped some, it could be worthwhile. Nothing I try, spproved or not, helps.

That's the weird part - it has helped some - among them a friend of mine. She was slowing worsening over many years and Dirucotide stopped her progression. She had many improvements such as bladder control, nerve pain and her walking. There is no doubt that she still has MS, but she regained so much.

I listened to a commentary from one of the co-founders of BioMS Medical (it's on their website) and he said that one baffling result of the study is that the North American placebo group did way better than the European placebo group.

I'm hoping that they can still find a way to make something out of all the years of research that went into a drug that still appears to help some. I was planning on it being my drug of choice should I ever decide to take one. Very disappointing news for many.

C