Novartis Discontinues Study for Investigational ALS Drug After Missing Endpoints

12:07 PM EDT, 09/16/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Novartis (NOVN.SW) halted the development of investigational drug VHB937 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a fatal neurological disorder. In an emailed statement to MT Newswires on Wednesday, Novartis confirmed the discontinuation after the drug missed the primary and secondary endpoints of the phase 2 Astrals study. The Swiss pharmaceutical major's statement confirms the community update it shared with the European Organization for Professionals and People with ALS on Aug. 25. In that update, Novartis said it will present the study's detailed findings at the 37th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Amsterdam in December.