AB Science: Encouraging Data on Masitinib in ALS
AB Science announced on Tuesday that new analyses of its phase 3 trial on masitinib in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will be presented at the 2026 annual ENCALS congress. The data shows a five-year survival rate of 42.3% in treated patients, doubling historical benchmarks.
Survival Rate Doubled
Masitinib, combined with riluzole, showed a five-year survival rate of 42.3% from the onset of symptoms, significantly exceeding published reference values, which range between 7% and 27.8% (weighted average of about 24%). In patients with slower disease progression (ALSFRS-R progression rate less than 1.1 points per month), the rate reaches 50%. For the subgroup without total loss of function at the start of treatment, the five-year survival is 53%, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Quality of Life Preserved in Long-Term Survivors
Among patients reaching the five-year survival threshold, 49% maintained a satisfactory quality of life without mechanical assistance (permanent ventilation, gastrostomy, tracheotomy, or wheelchair). These figures emphasize that increased survival does not lead to dependence on support devices. A recently identified biomarker, detecting the effect of masitinib on pathological pro-inflammatory microglia, could help identify patients who respond to the therapy.
Scientific Presentation Scheduled in Madrid
The presentation titled 'Five-Year Survival of 42% in ALS Patients Treated with Masitinib: Long-Term Outcomes From AB10015 Trial' will be given by Professor Albert Ludolph on June 25 at the ENCALS Research Forum in Madrid. Professor Ludolph, head of the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital of Ulm, stated that 'the examination of long-term survivors appears to indicate a clinically significant survival benefit for ALS patients receiving masitinib, compared to historical data' and added that 'additional confirmatory evidence is needed to verify these encouraging results.'
