News at a glance: ALS drug setback, controls on AI protein design, and rebuilding Ukrainian labs

DRUG DEVELOPMENT ALS drug comes up short in trial In a major setback for people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a drug approved in the United States and Canada in 2022 for the debilitating condition has failed in a 664-patient clinical trial, its maker, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, said last week. Regulators approved the therapy, a combination of two compounds, despite their concerns that the evidence it provided a clinical benefit in a smaller study was weak. But treatment options for ALS are few. Amylyx says it will now spend 8 weeks consulting regulators and those affected by ALS about whether to withdraw the drug, called Relyvrio in the United States. ALS destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and many people die within 5 years of diagnosis. BIOSAFETY Biologists pledge AI controls More than 130 protein science researchers have signed a pledge to use artificial intelligence (AI) safely in their work . The commitment, unveiled last week, underscores that despite AI’s potential to help researchers design novel proteins for vaccines, medicines, and sustainable materials, terrorists could also use it build toxins and bioweapons. Among other steps to mitigate those risks, signatories pledge not to use DNA synthesis services from companies that don’t adopt standard biosecurity screening protocols, such as those under development by the nonprofit International Biosecuri...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research