Objective
TUDCA-ALS will focus on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a rare neurodegenerative disorder, that affects motor neurons in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord, resulting in progressive weakness and atrophy of voluntary skeletal muscles. ALS has an estimated prevalence of 5.40 cases per 100.000 population corresponding at about 40.000 patients at European level. Treatments are modestly effective at best, and the majority of patients die within 3-5 years of diagnosis, often from respiratory failure.
TUDCA-ALS is based on the results of a successful proof-of-concept trial and has the ambition to develop a novel therapy in patients with ALS, based on administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) in addition to riluzole. TUDCA-ALS aims to perform a state-of-art randomized control trial on safety and efficacy of TUDCA in patients with sporadic ALS, without cognitive involvement and to exploit the project results into a novel therapeutic treatment for ALS. The trial primary endpoint is deterioration of function measured with the ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised. The secondary endpoints are: (1) Survival time to invasive ventilation (tracheostomy) or death; (2) changes in quality of life parameters measured by the ALSAQ-40 questionnaire; (3) functional changes measured by Forced Vital Capacity, and the EQ-5D scale. Muscle force will be assessed by the MRC scale and a correlated analysis of function and survival will be performed.
Two biomarkers will be measured: neurofilament levels in the CSF and serum and MMP-9 expression in serum. The latter is a possible biomarker of TUDCA efficacy. TUDCA-ALS is grounded on promising phase IIb clinical data and is expected to impact positively on the international research efforts on ALS.
TUDCA-ALS aims to obtain concrete benefits for patients with ALS. If the trial will prove successful, the consortium will support the development of this treatment at European level by combining expert knowledge and patient cooperation.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.3.1. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Health, demographic change and well-being
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3.1.3. - Treating and managing disease
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
RIA - Research and Innovation action
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-SC1-2016-2017
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20100 Rozzano (Mi)
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.