Observational Studies Help in Quest for Effective ALS Therapies

About the Program: In this talk Dr. Berry will discuss the aims, design considerations, and implementation of observational studies, highlighting the many ways observational studies hastened drug development and can create resources that aid the ALS community in the present and for years to come.

About the Speaker: Dr. Berry leads the Massachusetts General Hospital Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases. He is an active clinician and ALS clinical researcher, with a focus on biomarker development and ALS clinical trial methodology. He oversees a large biorepository, collecting, storing and sharing blood, DNA, and spinal fluid and accompanying patient information, which allows researchers around the globe to conduct critical research identifying biomarkers of ALS and developing novel therapeutics. He also leads projects developing digital endpoints for ALS trials that will help increase the objective data for trials while decreasing the burden on trial participants. Finally, he is deeply committed to developing novel therapeutics by translating discoveries in the lab into clinical trials and leading clinical trials that will transform our approach to care in ALS. Dr. Berry also oversees and leads out the clinic at the Healey Center for ALS, caring for patients and helping to build and lead the multidisciplinary care team. He helped found the Telemedicine for People with ALS (TelePALS) program, the ALS House Call Program and the Parenting at a Challenging Time (PACT) programs within the clinic.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is proud to offer this webinar at no cost to the ALS community. Thank you to the Gilbert & Jacqueline Fern Foundation, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, & Biogen for sponsoring this webinar.