QALSODY

What is this medication? Qalsody is a prescription medication used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS, in adult patients. Specifically, it is indicated for individuals who have a mutation in the superoxide dismutase 1 gene, which is often referred to as SOD1-ALS. This medication received accelerated approval from regulatory authorities based on its ability to lower levels of neurofilament light chain in the blood, which is a marker associated with nerve damage and disease progression.

The drug functions as an antisense oligonucleotide designed to bind to the genetic material that produces the SOD1 protein. By doing so, it helps reduce the overall production of this protein in the body. It is administered by a healthcare provider as an injection into the spinal fluid, a process called an intrathecal injection. Continued approval for this treatment may depend on the results of ongoing clinical trials that verify its long-term clinical benefits.