[THE INVESTOR] Viromed announced on Oct. 4 that it has obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to enter phase 2 clinical trials of VM202, its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment.

The gene therapy developed by the South Korean pharmaceutical company has been classified as an orphan drug by the USFDA during phase 1 clinical trials due to the effectiveness it displayed with ALS patients. The phase 2 trial is expected to last 9 months with 84 patients participating in the process.

The only USFDA-approved drug for the progressive neuromuscular disease hitherto is Rilutek, marketed by Sanofi, a French pharmaceutical firm. 



A spokesperson for Viromed added that VM202 is expected to extend life expectancy and improve body control for ALS patients.

VM202 has also been eyed as a cure for diabetic neuropathy as it entered phase 3 clinical trials in the US in September, to be assessed further for the purpose.

By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)