NeuroNEXT

The University of Iowa highlighted NeuroNEXT achievements in two campus publications: Iowa Now provides an overview of the ways the Network is accelerating the clinical trials process, and The Daily Iowan focuses on the ways NeuroNEXT is bringing together clinical sites and coordinating centers to advance neurological trials.

In addition, the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa produced two videos highlighting NeuroNEXT research. One features Chris Coffey, NeuroNEXT DCC PI: 

The second video features Janel Barnes, a statistician at the DCC, who finished her PhD at the University of Iowa in 2017: 

The Clinical Trials Methodology Course (CTMC) has begun their 2018 Webinar Series. These webinars are open to all. The course focues on the desing of early stage clinical trials for investigators focused on neurological illness and injury. The full scheduled may be viewed online: https://siren.network/training/ctmc/ctmc-webinars. 

The NINDS Clinical Trials Methodology Course is supported by the NIH-NINDS: R25 NS088248 and is administered by the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and Los Angeles BioMed. Additional support is provided by the American Academy of Neurology.

Neuro Central Podcast NC Talks featured an interview with Dr. Robert Fox, PPI of the NN102 SPRINT-MS study. Dr. Fox discussed trial results with the podcasters at the American Academy of Neurlogy’s 70th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA. 

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting will begin April 21 in Los Angeles, CA. The following NeuroNEXT events and presentations will take place:

• NeuroNEXT Meet & Greet Social: Please join us for a NeuroNEXT Meet & Greet on Monday, April 23 from 6:30-8pm PT at the O Hotel, 819 S. Flower St., Los Angeles. Light appetizers will be served and all Network affiliates are welcome.
• NN102 SPRINT-MS Plenary Presentation: Dr. Robert Fox will be presenting his project (“A Phase II Trial of Ibudilast in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis”) on Tuesday, April 24, as part of the Clinical Trials Plenary Session that commences at 9:15am PT. Dr. Fox is expected to be presenting around 10:30am PT.
• NN103 Beat MG Abstract: Dr. Richard Nowak will present his NN103 Beat MG study abstract as part of the AAN Annual Meeting Emerging Science program. Titled “B Cell Targeted Treatment in Myasthenia Gravis (BeatMG) – A Phase 2 Trial of Rituximab in MG: Topline Results,” the poster #P4.478 will be at Poster Session IV on Wednesdsay, April 25 from 11:30am-7pm PT and the in-person presentation will be from 5:30-7pm PT. 

Please visit the AAN Annual Meeting site for more information on the plenary sessions or emerging science program. 

Related Projects: 

NN102 SPRINT-MS

NN103 Beat MG

Network successes and the five-year renewal application were presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Experimental Neurotherapeutics poster session. The poster, presented March 9 at the meeting’s poster presentation and reception, concluded that NeuroNEXT has met all of its initial goals within the first 7-year funding period; that Network sites hae demonstrated their capacity to effectively enroll subjects; and that the Network is primed for future collaborations with industry, academia and small business partners.

In the same issue where the NN101 SMA primary results were published, the Annals of Neurology also published an accompanying editorial with high praise for the Network. The authors noted that “NeuroNEXT is clearly trying to change the landscape of clinical trials in neurology, helping to empower the academic investigator to pursue research efforts that would otherwise be impossible.”

Results of the NN104 study were covered  in the San Diego Union-Tribune. The article details the development of 3K3A-APC, the study drug, originally developed by The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA.

Final results from the NN104 RHAPSODY trial, which were presented at the International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2018 as a closing event, were subsequently featured in ISC’s Science News as Featured Science and on the American Stroke Association blog “Blogging Stroke.”

Article Summary: In February, 2012, the US National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is due to announce the first study to be supported by the National Network for Excellence in Neuroscience Clinical Trials (NeuroNEXT). With this ambitious new network, NINDS aims to facilitate the progress of new drugs from the laboratory to the clinic, specifically at the stage of phase 2 trials and biomarker validation studies. New therapies for neurological diseases are undoubtedly needed, but how can NeuroNEXT make a difference?

The FDA released several guidance documents in February, 2018, three of which fall under the NeuroNEXT umbrella: ALS, DMD and Migraine.