Breakthrough ALS study launches as drug aims to slow disease progression

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Actor Eric Dane, known for 'Grey's Anatomy,' died at 53 after battling ALS. Fox News' Dr. Marc Siegel details the disease's symptoms, rapid progression, ongoing research efforts and environmental factors. There could be new hope for ALS management as a promising drug enters phase 3 clinical trials. ALS is a progressive disease in which the brain loses connection with the muscles, The ALS Association states. This slowly strips away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat, dress, write, swallow and, eventually, breathe. The "PREVAiLS" study, which will review the investigational drug pridopidine as a potential ALS treatment, has already enrolled its first participant, according to a press release from Prilenia Therapeutics and Ferrer, developers of the drug. ACTOR ERIC DANE'S DEATH FROM ALS SPARKS URGENT FOCUS ON RAPID DECLINE The first participant has b