(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A Lakeview couple is among those feeling hopeful after an experimental drug to treat ALS received approval from an FDA advisory panel last week.
Brian Andre speaks excitedly about new drugs in the pipeline and a study of several of them at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The 64-year-old was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, six years ago.
He and other patients are anxious to try promising drugs like Amylyx that the panel reversed itself and voted for.
"We can't really wait on a timeline of FDA approval that might take six or seven years per drug because our average lifespan is just two to five years once we're diagnosed,” Andre said.
Lori Andre tells WBBM Newsradio that so much about the neuro-degenerative disease is unknown, like its cause. And it’s not known why some people decline more rapidly.
Brian has been on a slow and steady plateau since his diagnosis.
He and his wife are advocates for the group I Am ALS.
The FDA is not bound by the recommendation and is scheduled to issue its ruling by the end of this month.
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