Nasal spray aims to tame brain inflammation in ALS
NCT ID NCT07688239
First seen Jul 07, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a nasal spray called foralumab is safe and tolerable for people with ALS, a disease that damages nerve cells controlling movement. Foralumab is designed to calm inflammation and immune activity thought to contribute to ALS. About 44 adults aged 18 to 75 will receive either foralumab or a placebo for 12 weeks, then all will receive foralumab for another 12 weeks. Researchers will monitor safety, blood and spinal fluid markers, and brain inflammation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- foralumab (nasal spray)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a new way to slow ALS progression by calming brain inflammation.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with only 44 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment may not show benefit or could cause side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 44 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ≥18 years of age and ≤75 years of age with a diagnosis of symptomatic ALS by revised El Escorial Criteria (clinically possible, probable, probable lab-supported, or definite). * Participant must be actively enrolled and must have met eligibility criteria for the Healey ALS MyMatch Common Screening Protocol (MCSP) AND determined to have met preliminary eligibility on targeted medical history and review of systems and safety laboratory results required for this trial. * Blood neurofilament (NfL) level of greater than 40 pg/mL as measured by the MyMatch Common Screening Protocol specific NfL assay. * Ability to provide written informed consent. * Less than or equal to 24-months since onset of weakness or spasticity attributed to ALS. * Slow vital capacity (SVC) of at least 65% predicted value for gender, height and age at trial screening visit. * Participant must not have taken riluzole and/or edaravone for at least 30 days, or be on a stable dose of riluzole and/or edaravone for at least 30 days prior to baseline (riluzole-naïve or edaravone-naïve participants are permitted in the study). * Negative urine pregnancy test within 7 days prior to the first dose of study therapy for women of child-bearing potential, defined as a sexually mature woman who has not undergone a hysterectomy or who has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., who has had menses any time in the preceding 24 consecutive months). Sexually active women of child-bearing potential and male participants must agree to use highly effective methods to avoid pregnancy (oral, injectable, or implantable hormonal contraceptive; tubal ligation; intra-uterine device; barrier contraceptive with spermicide; or vasectomized partner) throughout the study and for 90 days after the completion of study treatment. * Participants must be able to travel to the study site for study visits and complete required study procedures. * Participants who are participating in the PET or Lumbar Puncture (LP) outcomes, must be determined to be able to safely tolerate these study procedure(s) in the opinion of the study investigator AND as determined by the targeted medical history and review of systems in the MCSP. Both procedures are highly encouraged. * Participants whose immunizations are fully up to date at Screening, according to the assessment of their primary care physician and neurologist. Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically significant medical condition that would pose a risk to the participant, according to the PI's judgment and examination prior to baseline. * Active ENT disease (such as allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, active sinusitis treated within the past 30 days or deemed as clinically relevant, clinically significant deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps) that might interfere with safely administering the drug nasally. * Active clinically significant infection or immunocompromised condition. * Treatment with chronic immunosuppressants or other immunosuppressants within the past 90 days. * Concomitant use of investigational treatments for ALS within 5 half-lives or 30 days prior to the Baseline visit, whichever is longest (high dosage methylcobalamin permitted). * Exposure to any gene or cell therapies under investigation for treatment of ALS. * Inability to tolerate nasally administered medications. * Participant reported history of any vaccines within past 14 days (prior to first dose of foralumab).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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