TORONTO, August 15, 2023 /CNW/ - Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Canada announced today the Company has entered a Product Listing Agreement for the public reimbursement of ALBRIOZA™ (sodium phenylbutyrate and ursodoxicoltaurine) with the province of Nova Scotia, effective immediately. The treatment will be reimbursed for its use in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs. ALBRIOZA demonstrated a significant reduction in disease progression and functional decline among individuals diagnosed with ALS in the CENTAUR clinical trial.i This promising outcome has the potential to provide individuals with ALS with longer periods of functional independence and enhanced quality of life.
“Reimbursement for this treatment is exciting news and will benefit individuals and families of those living with ALS in Nova Scotia,” said Kimberly Carter, ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Time is particularly precious for people impacted by ALS, and access to approved therapies is critical to preserving quality of life for longer. Allowing Nova Scotians who rely on public coverage to benefit from innovative treatments affords them more opportunities to create memories with their loved ones.”
Amylyx continues to work with additional provincial, territorial, and federal drug plans to have ALBRIOZA listed on public formularies across the country.
“Nova Scotia’s collaboration and commitment to supporting individuals living with ALS is greatly appreciated,” said Chris Aiello, General Manager and Head of Canada at Amylyx. “We are continuing to work with other Canadian drug plans to ensure widespread equitable access to ALBRIOZA as quickly as possible. We know that this disease leaves people with no time to spare, and we hope other public drug plans will soon join Nova Scotia and the other provinces to date in listing ALBRIOZA on their drug benefit formularies.”
As the disease advances, individuals living with ALS experience a reduction in their physical functions, significantly impacting the ability to perform daily activities, like feeding and dressing themselves or speaking with and hugging loved ones. The disease ultimately leads to loss of essential functions like swallowing and breathing. The median life expectancy is just two years following diagnosis.
“ALS is a progressive neurological disorder that has a devastating effect on the lives of my patients and their families. More treatment options are needed,” said Dr. Ian Grant, Neurologist, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre. “The addition of ALBRIOZA to the provincial formulary is a welcome development that will improve access to ALS therapy for Nova Scotians dealing with this disease.”
About ALS
ALS is a relentlessly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by motor neuron death in the brain and spinal cord with a median life expectancy of two years from diagnosis.ii Motor neuron loss in ALS leads to deteriorating muscle function, the inability to move and speak, respiratory paralysis and eventually, death.
About ALBRIOZA™
ALBRIOZA™ (sodium phenylbutyrate and ursodoxicoltaurine), previously known as AMX0035, is an oral fixed-dose medication approved with conditions to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Canada. It is approved to treat ALS in adults in the U.S. as RELYVRIO®. AMX0035 is being explored for the potential treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases. The formulation of RELYVRIO, ALBRIOZA, and AMX0035 are identical.
About Amylyx Pharmaceuticals
Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is committed to supporting and creating more moments for the neurodegenerative disease community through the discovery and development of innovative new treatments. Amylyx is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and has operations in Canada and EMEA. For more information, visit amylyx.ca and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
For media inquiries, please contact the Amylyx Media Team at +1 (857) 799-7274 or amylyxmediateam@amylyx.com.
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