Efficacy and Safety Study as Monotherapy of SA237 to Treat NMO and NMOSD – A Patient’s Perspective

Chugai Pharmaceuticals is currently conducting a study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and immunogenic profiles of a humanized anti-human IL-6R neutralizing monoclonal antibody (SA237) in patients with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD).

On May 19 and 20, 2014, the Pharmaceutical Company hosted an Investigator and Study Coordinator Training Meeting in Miami, FL. One of our members and Support Group Leaders in the state of Texas, Barbara Nichols, had the opportunity to attend the meeting as a representative of SRNA. Barbara was able to catch a rare glimpse of how these meetings are conducted and received further insight into how the drug and the study participants are prepared for the trial. You can read more about her experience below.

A Patient’s Glimpse….

I had the honor of attending the Investigators Meeting hosted by Chugai Pharmaceutical and Parexel in Miami this past May. It was a fascinating experience and opportunity to get a glimpse of the scope of work, research and time that goes into preparing a drug for trial. While hosting a table for SRNA, I met many caring doctors and clinicians all gathering for the common goal of pursuing better treatments for NMO. As a NMO patient, that in and of itself was an exciting thing to see. To come from losing my vision in one eye twelve years ago and no one having a clue what was wrong with me, to a spinal cord attack seven years ago with still no answers other than I “must have MS, but something about that doesn’t look right”, I sometimes felt I must pinch myself to know that I am in a room full of experts on my disorder! Definitely a nice shift from having so many experiences with medical folks giving me a blank stare when I tell them my diagnosis, as I know you have all been there, right? I am very appreciative and humbled that I was allowed to attend such a meeting and be given the opportunity to address this group and present a patient perspective. I had the opportunity to encourage them to not lose sight of the great personal decision this is for each participant in a clinical trial. It is one that must be thoroughly researched from a patient perspective as well, with careful consultation and expert medical advice from not only a doctor who is well trained and versed in this disorder, but one that we trust. We as patients have much to consider and weigh as this affects our lives and future, as well as the future of our families. Hopefully, we will continue to see more progress in the path to better treatments for our community.

~ Barbara Nichols

For more information about this study and other clinical studies and trials, please visit https://wearesrna.org/research/clinical-studies-trials