August 25, 2026

Novartis likes to update you on our VHB937B1 program for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

As shared previously, recruitment was completed for the ASTRALS Phase 2 clinical trial in 2025, enrolling 251 participants across the globe.

After careful analysis, we regret to announce that the ASTRALS Phase 2 clinical trial did not meet its primary or secondary endpoints. As such, we have decided to discontinue the development of VHB937 in ALS and will continue to support participants as they complete their involvement in the trial.

Detailed trial findings will be orally presented at the 37th International Symposium on ALS/MND taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 9-11 December 2026.

We recognize how disappointing these results are for people living with ALS, their families, investigators and the broader ALS community. While these results are not what we had hoped for, we remain committed to advancing scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and applying the learnings from this study to future research efforts.

Novartis extends our deepest gratitude to the people with ALS who participated in the ASTRALS trial. We are equally grateful to their families and caregivers, investigators, clinical sites worldwide, researchers, advocates, and ALS community organizations whose support made this research possible. These contributions have been essential to deepening the understanding of and advancing research and innovation for this devastating disease, not only for our organization, but also for the broader community.

With gratitude,

VHB937B1 Clinical Development Team at Novartis

Source: Novartis

European organization for Professionals and People with ALS (EUpALS) ivzw
Registered office: Vaartkom 17, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
VAT: BE 0684.923.631 – Commercial Tribunal of Leuven
Tel: +32 (0)16-23 95 82    –    info@ALS.eu    –    www.ALS.eu