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==                                                           ==
==        ----------- ALS INTEREST GROUP -----------         ==
==                ALS Digest (#41, 03 MAY 1993)              ==
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(1)
=====
re: myotrophin
==========
The following was collected via the Executive News Service on
Compuserve.
-----
OTC  05/03 1023  CEPHALON, INC. PRESENTS DATA ON MYOTROPHIN IN ALS.
 
WEST CHESTER, PA (BizWire) Cephalon, Inc.  (NASDAQ: CEPH) announced 
at the Annual Meeting of the International Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA) 
Consortium results of preclinical and clinical studies for the 
treatment of neurodegenerative diseases using the Company's proprietary 
compound, Myotrophin(TM), a recombinant human form of insulin-like 
growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is a naturally occurring protein which 
mediates the nervous system's normal attempt to recover from injury. 
   As reported by Dr.  Stanley H.  Appel, Chairman of the Department 
of Neurology at The Baylor College of Medicine, Phase I human clinical 
trials of Myotrophin have demonstrated that subcutaneous administration
of this compound to either normal individuals or Amyotrophic Lateral 
Sclerosis (ALS) patients results in a significant, prolonged elevation 
of IGF-1 levels in serum, with no significant side effects. 
   Serum concentrations achieved in the Phase I studies were similar 
to those obtained for preclinical studies which found that Myotrophin 
enhanced regeneration and sprouting of motor neurons in muscle tissue. 
         In addition, Michael E.  Lewis, Ph.D., Cephalon's Senior 
Director of Scientific Affairs, presented preclinical data demonstrating
that Myotrophin can prevent peripheral nerve damage (neuropathy) 
caused by administration of the new anti-tumor drug, taxol.  "Taxol 
is an important new chemotherapeutic agent that is gaining broad-based 
utility in the treatment of many forms of cancer,"  stated Dr.  Frank 
Baldino, Jr., President and CEO of Cephalon.  "The use of Myotrophin 
as an adjunctive agent in taxol therapy presents an important market
opportunity for the company."  Earlier this year the Company presented 
data that Myotrophin prevented the development of neuropathy induced 
by the anti-cancer agent vincristine in reliable animal models of 
neuropathy. 
   Coupled with today's announced data with taxol these data suggest 
that Myotrophin may be broadly applied in the treatment of neuropathies 
induced by several chemotherapeutic agents. 
   In January 1993, Cephalon initiated Phase II/III clinical trials of
Myotrophin in ALS patients.  Approximately 200 patients will be 
enrolled into a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at major ALS 
clinics across the United States and Canada, including The Baylor 
College of Medicine in Houston, The Columbia University-Presbyterian 
Hospital in New York City, The ALS & Neuromuscular Research Foundation 
in San Francisco and The Clinical Research Foundation in Lenexa, Kansas. 
   Characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, ALS, 
also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal disorder affecting 
approximately 25,000-30,000 patients in the U.S. The disease progresses 
over a three to five year period, with death typically occurring due 
to loss of respiratory muscle control rendering the patient unable 
to breathe.  Currently, there is no effective therapy for this 
devastating disease. 
   Peripheral neuropathy is a collection of disorders of the peripheral 
nervous system (PNS) characterized by a degeneration of peripheral 
sensory and motor nerves.  The disability produced by any particular 
neuropathy depends on the nerves affected.  Sensory neuropathies are 
accompanied by burning sensations, imbalance and both numbness and 
pain.  Motor neuropathies are characterized by muscular weakness and 
motor abnormalities, including problems with coordination, movement 
and respiration.  In the most severe cases, peripheral neuropathy 
may eventually lead to significant limitations in normal physical
activity.  The peripheral neuropathy that Cephalon first plans to 
focus on is chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, particularly that 
resulting as a side effect of treatment with vincristine, taxol and 
cisplatin. 
   Cephalon, Inc.  discovers and develops pharmaceutical products 
for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.  The 
Company's primary focus is on neurodegenerative diseases, which are 
characterized by the death of neurons, the specialized conducting 
cells of the nervous system.  The Company has concentrated its 
research programs on the prevention of neuronal death in several 
disorders, including ALS and peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer's 
disease, head and spinal cord injury and stroke. 
   CONTACT: Cephalon Inc., West Chester 
    Lyn Hyduke, 215/344-0200 
               or 
    Burns McClellan 
    Karen L. Bergman, 212/505-1919 
 
== end of als 41 ==