Biogen Inc. announced new data and updates from its SPINRAZA® (nusinersen) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research program aimed at improving clinical outcomes for people impacted by the disease, including the ASCEND, RESPOND and NURTURE studies. These updates were presented at the 2022 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical & Scientific Conference (March 13-16, 2022).
First Patient Treated in Phase 3b ASCEND Study
The ASCEND study is currently enrolling with the first patient treated in Q1 2022. At the conference, Biogen presented the design of the open-label, global Phase 3b study to evaluate the potential benefit of investigational higher dose nusinersen in later-onset, non-ambulatory SMA patients previously treated with Evrysdi® (risdiplam).
“As the SMA community gains more experience with available therapies, we are gleaning new insights about how these treatments can enhance the lives of individuals impacted by SMA. However, unmet needs still remain for the community,” said Basil Darras, M.D., Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Neuromuscular Center and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. “The ASCEND study seeks to generate data that have the potential to inform decisions regarding treatment for our patients with later-onset SMA.”