Dexpramipexole (Biogen Idec) fails Phase III EMPOWER trial in ALS

Biogen Idec has reported top-line results of EMPOWER, a Phase III trial investigating dexpramipexole in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The trial did not meet its primary endpoint, a joint rank analysis of function and survival, and no efficacy was seen in the individual components of function or survival. The trial also failed to show efficacy in its key secondary endpoints. Additional analyses of multiple subpopulations failed to demonstrate any efficacy among these groups. Based on these results, Biogen Idec will discontinue development of dexpramipexole in ALS.