A phase III study comparing olesoxime versus riluzole (Rilutek™) in 512 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) found that olesoxime did not demonstrate a significant benefit on the primary endpoint of survival after 18 months of treatment over that of riluzole.

The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of olesoxime (330mg daily) against placebo in patients treated with riluzole. [Full trial data are to be available in due course.]

Olesoxime is undergoing efficacy and safety studies in spinal muscular atrophy and multiple sclerosis.