Roche Holding AG said it decided to stop developing neuromuscular drug olesoxime due to continued difficulties with the treatment.
"Despite all of our efforts and a strong desire to deliver olesoxime as a medicine to people with SMA, we have concluded that this is not going to be possible," a news release from the Swiss drugmaker's F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. unit stated.
The company said it will identify and provide alternative treatment options to patients enrolled in its ongoing study of olesoxime, called Oleos. Roche noted that the most recent analysis of trial data showed a worsening in symptoms, contributing to its decision to stop development.
Olesoxime is an investigational molecule meant to treat spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, a rare genetic disorder characterized by loss of voluntary muscle function. Roche acquired olesoxime when it acquired France-based Trophos SA in 2015.
Roche said it is developing another SMA treatment, RG7916, with PTC Therapeutics Inc.
