By Sahm Adrangi
Did you know that multiple sclerosis (MS) affects an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide?
MS is present in people of all ages but is mostly diagnosed in individuals between 20 and 40 years. For the majority of people, these are the most active years of their lives.
Those affected often live with significant poor mobility, while many are dependent on family members for care. All of this poses major obstacles to daily life for those diagnosed. Not to mention the substantial financial impact on their lives.
At Kerrisdale Capital Management, one of our main areas of research is biotechnology. I am Sahm Adrangi, founder and CIO. I have published research on pharmaceutical companies with drugs still undergoing clinical trials.
Kerrisdale Capital’s Research on Current Treatments – Disease-Modifying Therapy (DMT)
More than a decade ago, the first DMT therapy specifically for MS was licensed.
Since then, physicians and researchers have found more effective ways to prescribe them. They’ve also introduced other DMTs. That means physicians today have a variety of choices for their patients. Additional DMTs have made it possible for doctors to avoid cytotoxic agents to treat their patients.
These DMTs include:
- Interferons
- Avonex
- Betaferon
- Extavia
- Rebif
- Polymer
- Copaxone
- Monoclonal Antibody
- Tysabri
Following the increased availability of DMTs, the MS community saw many other advances. Clinicians began specializing in MS and developed specific clinics. There was also an increase in the number of nurses specializing in MS.
Today’s MS medications work by modifying the course of the disease. They reduce the frequency of relapses and delay disease progression. Unfortunately, MS patients still struggle in some areas and not all needs are being met.
There are still significant unmet needs.
One of our goals at Kerrisdale Capital Management and in the work that I, Sahm Adrangi publish is to increase education in our areas of focus.
Although current treatments are effective, there are opportunities to improve the lives of patients of MS.
Psychological Well Being
Clinicians and doctors alike are recognizing the effects of MS on memory and intellect. Unfortunately, few of the original clinical trials for the treatment of MS included psychological analysis for individual patients.
Thus, the current protocols for treating MS patients don’t often emphasis mental health when it comes to diagnosis and intervention of problems like anxiety and depression, which occurs in nearly all patients with MS. Further, it isn’t well documented how MS drugs interact with psychological medications.
Management of Related Symptoms
While DMTs provide improvement in the treatment of MS, there are other considerations. Symptom alleviation is indeed less glamorous than finding a cure. However, it should receive an equal share of enthusiasm, financial support, and interest.
Many patients experience these symptoms daily:
- Muscle stiffness
- Pain
- Poor balance
- Dizziness and double vision
- Fatigue
Such drugs would improve the daily lives of MS sufferers. Without contraindicating their therapies.
Sahm Adrangi – New Developments aimed at closing the gap.
Clinicians expect developments in trials to provide a shift in the focus of MS medicine. The focus is moving from prevention of relapses to reducing the effects of MS and perhaps provide neuroprotection.
Many of these clinical trials are aimed at the discovery of other biomarkers. These biomarkers have the potential to improve how physicians diagnose MS. They could also make therapies more effective, including a means to improve walking mobility and mental health concerns.
In my work as Sahm Adrangi at Kerrisdale Capital I have examined the development of drugs by bio pharmaceutical companies. Kerrisdale Capital publishes these reports in an effort to inform the public on topics that may be misunderstood in the pharmaceutical sector. I am the CIO of Kerrisdale Capital Management.
Learn more about Sahm Adrangi – CIO and Founder of Kerrisdale Capital Management
Sahm Adrangi is the CIO and founder of Kerrisdale Capital. He shares his research on the company’s website, Twitter, and third-party investment related website. Mr. Adrangi has been featured in a number of major publications, including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Sahm Adrangi has also appeared in interviews with Bloomberg and CNBC.
