蔡磊带动中国渐冻症药物研发提速，但钱呢？

Core Insights - The ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) drug development landscape in China is evolving, with significant advancements in research and clinical trials, particularly in the context of funding challenges faced by startups in this field [1][6][8] Group 1: Drug Development Progress - The approval of Tofersen, the first "cause-targeted" ALS drug, in China marks a significant milestone, filling a gap for SOD1-ALS patients and aligning domestic treatment options with international standards [2][3] - Multiple ASO therapies, including Ulefnersen and siRNA therapies like RAG-17 and RAG-21, are in early clinical stages, showcasing the potential of nucleic acid-based treatments for ALS [3][4] - Domestic companies are increasingly becoming the main drivers of innovation in ALS drug development, with 15 drug development projects reported since 2025, excluding IIT research [4] Group 2: Funding Challenges - The ALS drug development sector is primarily composed of startups, which face significant funding challenges due to the limited commercial value of rare diseases and the high risk of early-stage research failures [5][6] - Despite the overall interest in innovative drugs, the financing environment for ALS remains cold, with only a few companies achieving significant funding rounds [7][8] - Companies like Shenzhi Changhua and Zhongmei Ruikang, which have advanced drugs to clinical stages, still encounter financial pressures, highlighting the common funding challenges in rare disease drug development [7][8] Group 3: Research and Regulatory Recommendations - The complexity of ALS, including unclear etiology and heterogeneous patient populations, complicates drug development, necessitating a robust support system for rare disease research [9][10] - Recommendations for improving the regulatory landscape include enhancing orphan drug recognition processes, flexible clinical trial designs, and extending market exclusivity periods to ensure adequate returns on investment [10] - Collaborative efforts are suggested to establish national rare disease patient registries and biobanks, as well as integrating international resources to create a unified disease database for ALS research [10]