ALS Canada invests in Access ALS to position Canada as a global leader in clinical trials

Canada has the potential to emerge as a global leader in ALS clinical trials, providing individuals affected by ALS with more opportunities to engage in promising new treatments. To help turn this potential into a reality, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is investing in Access ALS, a national initiative designed to enhance Canada’s capacity to conduct early-stage, Phase 1 ALS clinical trials.

Phase 1 trials are the initial tests of new treatments in humans, focusing on safety, dosage, and looking at biomarkers to confirm that the intended biology is changed. Phase 1 trials are the critical first step in evaluating new ALS treatments in humans. These studies focus on safety, dosage, and how a therapy behaves in the body, laying the essential groundwork for future clinical testing. Phase 1 trials often stem from innovative and promising preclinical science, making them a key gateway for translating discovery into potential future therapies. However, running these studies requires specialized expertise, and currently, only one-third of Canadian ALS clinics are equipped to do so.

With Health Canada’s recognition of the unmet need in ALS and support of Phase 1 trials, Canada is uniquely positioned to attract leading ALS pharmaceutical companies. Building these relationships early in the trial process often provides opportunities for Phase 2 and 3 trials as well. This means more opportunities for people living with ALS across the country to access promising clinical trials closer to home.

Access ALS is led by Dr. Angela Genge, Executive Director of the ALS Centre of Excellence for Research and Patient Care and Director of the ALS Clinic at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital). Dr. Genge will collaborate closely with the Canadian ALS Research Network (CALS), comprised of ALS clinics across Canada. This collaborative approach will help build the expertise and infrastructure necessary to conduct these complex trials.

To support this effort, ALS Canada is providing $75,000 in seed funding to launch Access ALS by supporting the salary for two new, key positions: a Site Coordinator Lead, who will assist clinics in preparing for and managing these complex trials, and a Nurse Navigator Lead, who will connect individuals living with ALS to trial opportunities and facilitate recruitment.

“Access ALS builds on a foundation of clinical trial excellence in Canada, to provide a new, timely, and important conduit to the most scientifically interesting new experimental therapeutics. This creates a path for more Canadians living with ALS to contribute to research and access innovative treatments that may change the progression of the disease,” says Dr. David Taylor, Chief Scientific Officer at ALS Canada. “By funding Access ALS, ALS Canada is investing directly in leading-edge science that has been translated to clinical trials. It’s a step forward in our commitment to driving meaningful progress for people affected by ALS.”

This funding complements previous research investments and builds on ALS Canada’s long history of supporting research infrastructure across the country. Initiatives like Access ALS help create a stronger, more connected clinical trial network that can accelerate the development of treatments and bring hope to the ALS community.

“Access ALS is about readiness—ensuring that Canadian clinics have the tools, training, and infrastructure to run the most innovative ALS trials,” says Dr. Angela Genge, Executive Director of the ALS Centre of Excellence for Research and Patient Care at McGill University. “By building capacity for early-stage trials, we’re opening doors for patients and positioning Canada as a preferred destination for global ALS research.”

Supporting early-stage trials in Canada not only increases access for participants but also encourages pharmaceutical companies to continue developing their therapies here, keeping Canada at the forefront of ALS innovation.