Acorda Therapeutics® was established in March 1995 to develop therapies that restore neurological function to people with spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS) and related conditions of the nervous system.
Acorda’s products, Zanaflex Capsules™ and Zanaflex® tablets, are FDA-approved for the management of spasticity, a symptom of conditions such as MS and SCI that is commonly characterized by stiffness or rigidity, restriction of movement and painful muscle spasms.
Acorda’s lead clinical product, Fampridine-SR, is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in MS. It is being evaluated for its effects on walking ability. Fampridine has also been studied in SCI.
Acorda has three preclinical programs focused on novel approaches to repair damaged components of the CNS: chondriotinase, neuregulins, and remyelinating antibodies.
Core technologies developed by Acorda for SCI and MS have potentially broad applicability for other neurologic conditions. Focusing on these conditions provides insight into chronic and acute CNS conditions – for example, MS represents a chronic degeneration of the CNS, whereas SCI represents an acute CNS injury followed by a relatively stable chronic condition. In addition, many of the mechanisms of secondary tissue damage and potential repair in MS and SCI are shared with other conditions, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. The functional deficits and symptoms suffered by MS and SCI patients, such as walking impairments, spasticity and loss of bladder and bowel function, are also shared by other CNS disorders.
Ron Cohen, M.D. has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since he founded Acorda in 1995.
Learn more about Acorda Therapeutics by visiting their website.
