Fampridine SR® (long-acting fampridine, 4-aminopyridine)

Parent company: Acorda Therapeutics.

Sustained-release tablet of investigational drug fampridine, given orally twice daily.

Improves communication between damaged nerves and may result in increased neurological function.

Studied for MS symptom management (including walking speed and strength).

A 14-week, Phase III, multi-center trial in patients with MS found that nearly 35 percent of the treated group showed consistent improvement in walking speed, versus just over eight percent of the placebo group; treated group also experienced an increase in strength.

Adverse events attributed to fampridine were similar to those in previous studies, including an increased risk of seizures; this risk appears to be dose related, and the sustained-release formula is designed to reduce the risk of seizures.

A second phase III study, MS-F204, has begun; 200 patients are anticipated to be enrolled at 35 MS centers in the United States and Canada.