Fulcrum stock slumps after muscle disorder drug fails in late-stage study (updated)

Fulcrum Therapeutics

12/09/2024 12:34

(Adds details from the trial in paragraphs 2,3,4 and 5 and
background on disease in paragraph 6)
       Sept 12 (Reuters) - Fulcrum Therapeutics  FULC.O  said
on Thursday its experimental drug to treat a type of muscle
disorder failed to meet the main goal in a late-stage study,
sending the company's shares down nearly 70% before the bell.
    The company was testing its drug, losmapimod, in 260
patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) who
received either the therapy or a placebo for 48 weeks.
    At the end of treatment period, patients who received the
drug did not show improvement on a measure of shoulder and
proximal arm mobility - the main goal of the study. The study
also failed to achieve statistical significance on any of its
secondary goals.
    In light of the results, the company said it plans to
suspend testing of losmapimod in FSHD patients.
    FSHD is a genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and
wasting in the face, shoulder blades and upper arms. The
estimated prevalence of the disease is about 4 cases per 100,000
individuals, according to the Muscle Dystrophy Association.

 (Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay
Kishore)
 ((Bhanvi.Satija@thomsonreuters.com; Outside U.S. +91
9873062788;))