Experimental drug zilganersen aims to slow rare brain disease

NCT ID NCT04849741

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Phase 3 trial tests whether zilganersen (ION373) can improve or stabilize motor function in people with Alexander disease, a rare genetic brain disorder. Fifty-four participants aged 2 to 65 will receive either the drug or a placebo injected into the spine. The study measures walking speed and symptom severity over time.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

zilganersen (ION373)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to the first treatment that slows or stabilizes the worsening of motor function in Alexander disease, offering patients a way to maintain abilities longer.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage Phase 3 trial with only 54 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. The drug is injected into the spine, which carries risks like infection or nerve damage, and it may not improve symptoms for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alexander disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra - Academisch Medisch Centrum

    Amsterdam, North Holland, 1105 AZ, Netherlands

  • Children's Hospital of Atlanta

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States

  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

    London, WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom

  • Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford

    Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

  • McGill University Health Centre

    Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0G4, Canada

  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

    Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

  • National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

    Tokyo, Kodaira-shi, 187-8551, Japan

  • Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù

    Roma, 165, Italy

  • Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi

    Milan, 20154, Italy

  • Pediatric Neurology Institute, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

    Tel Aviv, 6423906, Israel

  • University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom