INSMED To Limit Supply of IPLEX to Existing ALS Patients in Current Program

INSMED, the manufacturer of IPLEX, has announced that effective immediately, it will limit the supply of the drug to the 70 ALS patients receiving the drug in the United States and other parts of the world as part of a study to determine its safety and therapeutic potential.  The biopharmaceutical company also announced that it will not initiate further clinical trials with IPLEX at this time.  There are 12 people in the United States currently receiving IPLEX as part of an agreement between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and INSMED.

The Richmond-VA.-based INSMED also announced that it no longer has the capability to manufacture IPLEX, a drug that combines insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein 3.  IPLEX has not been approved for use in treating ALS.  The company said any agreement with another company to produce the drug would not result in production of additional quantities for at least 12 to 18 months.