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MN-166

Phase 2/3

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis | Small molecule | Neurology |MediciNova, Inc.|Trials Updated: Mar 6, 2026

MN-166 development status

Highest phase Phase 2/3 (NCT04057898)
Phase scored for MNOVPhase 2
Registered trials 10 across 3 sponsors since Nov 2013

MN-166 target and mechanism

ModalitySmall molecule

Also known as ibudilast, Pinatos

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials8
Total Enrollment805

FDA Designations

ORPHAN_DRUGFAST_TRACK

MN-166 clinical trials

MN-166 · 8 trials · 11 indications

Phase 2/3 1Phase 2 4Phase 1/2 2Phase 1 1
NCT04057898Evaluation of MN-166 (Ibudilast) for 12 Months Followed by an Open-label Extension for 6 Months in Patients With ALSAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING234 Analytics
PHASE2/PHASE3ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
Evaluation of MN-166 (Ibudilast) for 12 Months Followed by an Open-label Extension for 6 Months in Patients With ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Change from baseline in ALSFRS-R score at Month 12 (or last measurement before death in case of censoring) and survival time.
12 months

The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale-revised, or ALSFRS-R, measures the functional status of subjects with ALS. It is based on 12 items, each of which is rated on a 5-point scale (0 to 4). The rate of total functional disability thus ranges from 0 (maximum disability) to 48 (normal function) points.

Percent Heavy Drinking Days
12 week-treatment period

Heavy drinking days defined as 5+ drinks for men and 4+ for women. Reported outcome measures are proportions of heavy drinking days.

Number of Participants Free From Respiratory Failure at Day 7
Day 7

Participants were considered "responders" if they did not meet the need for supplemental oxygen requirements (invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive ventilation, high-flow oxygen, or ECMO, CPAP, BiPAP, nasal cannula) at the end of the 7-day double-blind treatment.

Number of Participants With at Least a 1-point Improvement in Clinical Status on Day 7
Day 7

Number (percentage) of participants with at least a 1-point improvement in clinical status on Day 7. Clinical status is measured by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) 8-Point Ordinal Scale: 1=Not hospitalized, no limitations on activities; 2=Not hospitalized, limitation on activities and/or requiring home oxygen; 3=Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen - no longer requires ongoing medical care; 4=Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen - requiring ongoing medical care (COVID-19 related or otherwise) 5=Hospitalized, Hospitalized, requiring supplemental oxygen; 6=Hospitalized, on non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen devices; 7=Hospitalized, on invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); 8=Death.

Safety and Tolerability of MN-166 60 mg/d Versus Placebo When Administered With Riluzole in Subjects With ALS
6 months

Safety will be assessed by monitoring and recording all treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) including serious adverse events (SAEs) and discontinuations due to TEAEs and Additional assessments will include regular monitoring of hematology, blood chemistry, and urine values, regular measurement of vital signs, ECGs, medical history, physical and neurological examinations.

Covariate-adjusted Mean Rate of Change in Brain Atrophy Over 96 Weeks as Measured by Brain Parenchymal Fraction (BPF).
96 weeks

To evaluate the activity of ibudilast (100 mg/day) versus placebo at 96 weeks as measured by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis for whole brain atrophy using brain parenchymal fraction (BPF), calculated as the ratio of brain parenchymal tissue volume to the total volume contained within the brain surface contour.

Percentage of Participants With Adverse Events.
96 weeks

Safety Measures: percentage of participants who experienced treatment-emergent adverse events, clinically significant abnormal laboratory and electrocardiogram results.

Evaluate safety and tolerability of ibudilast and temozolomide combination treatment
1-6 months

Determine the proportion of patients with * Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) as measured by the CTCAE v4.0 and * Treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs and Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs).

Evaluate efficacy of ibudilast and TMZ combination treatment
1-6 months

Proportion of patients who are progression free at 6 months (PFS6) using the RANO criteria.

Impact of MN-166 on [11C]-PBR28 Uptake in the Motor Cortices and Brain Stem Measured by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging at 12 - 24 Weeks
12- 24 weeks (post treatment [11C]-PBR28-PET scan will be performed between the Week 12 and Week 24 visits.

Glial activation will be estimated in eligible participants in the Regular arm by combined magnetic resonance positron emission tomography (MR-PET) using the \[11C\]-PBR28 radioligand. \[11C\]-PBR28 uptake is quantified as the ratio of the standardized uptake value (SUVR). An independent neuroimaging rater blinded to the clinical data will assess for quality control of the PBR28-PET images and SUVR. The primary analysis will be performed on the modified Intent-to-Treat (mITT) population. The median (90% confidence interval \[CI\]) changes from baseline in SUVR from pre- to post-treatment visit will be presented.

Impact of MN-166 on Several Markers of Neuro-inflammation Measured by Blood Biomarkers at Week 36
36 weeks

Mean change from baseline (pre-dose) to Week 36 in blood biomarkers for neuroinflammation, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and neurofilament light (NfL). All blood biomarkers are measured in picograms/milliliter (pg/mL).

Number of Participants with Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability
35 days

Insomnia, Nicotine craving, Gastrointestinal upset, Headache, Musculoskeletal pain, Pain at IV site, Rash, Vivid dreams, Constipation, Dizziness, Dysuria, Ectopic heart beats, Fever/chills/hot flashes, Pruritis, Sore throat, Tinnitus, Backache, Chest congestion, Sedation, or other reported by patient or observed by clinician

Number of Participants with Clinically Significant Changes in Cardiovascular Parameters as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability
35 days

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and an EKG "rhythm strip"

Secondary Endpoints

Mean change from baseline of muscle strength measured by hand-held dynamometry
Baseline, Treatment Phase Week 6, Months 3, 6, 9 and12 time points.
Mean change from baseline on quality of life assessed by ALSAQ-5 at Month 12
12 months
Mean change from baseline of functional activity measured by ALSFRS-R at Month 12
12 months
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingQUADRUPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
MN-166EXPERIMENTALSubjects will take MN-166 10 mg capsules, up to 50 mg twice a day for 12 months.
placeboPLACEBO_COMPARATORSubjects will take up to 5 matching placebo capsules twice a day for 12 months.
IbudilastEXPERIMENTAL10mg delayed-release capsules, target dose 50mg twice daily (5 x 10mg capsules twice daily) for 12 weeks
Placebo Oral CapsulePLACEBO_COMPARATORmatched to experimental drug
Active Treatment GroupEXPERIMENTAL -
Placebo Treatment GroupPLACEBO_COMPARATOR -
Placebo (for MN-166)PLACEBO_COMPARATORSugar pill manufactured for MN-166 10 mg tablets plus 50 mg riluzole by mouth twice daily for 6 months.
MN-166 and temozolomideEXPERIMENTALPart 1: Combination treatment of MN-166 60 mg/day (30 mg twice a day) for 28 days and temozolomide 150 mg/m² on Days 1-5 of 28-day cycle. Part 2: Open-label, fixed-dose MN-166 and temozolomide combination treatment for 6 cycles until disease progression, unacceptable tolerability and/or toxicity or loss of life.
RegularEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive up to 100 mg /day MN-166 for 36 weeks. MN-166 dosing may vary based on individual tolerability.
FlexibleEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive up to 100 mg /day MN-166 for 36 weeks. MN-166 dosing may vary based on individual tolerability. Participants will have all assessments except PET scans.
placebo, Ibudilast 20 mg, then Ibudilast 50mgEXPERIMENTALSequence: (1) Placebo, (2) Ibudilast 20 mg BID, then (3) Ibudilast 50 mg BID
Ibudilast 20 mg, Ibudilast 50mg, then placeboEXPERIMENTALSequence: (1) Ibudilast 20 mg BID, (2) Ibudilast 50 mg BID, then (3) Placebo

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
MN-166DRUGSubjects will take MN-166 for 12 months followed by a 6-month open-label extension phase.
placeboDRUGSubjects will take matching placebo for 12 months followed by a 6-month open-label extension phase.
IbudilastDRUGtargets neurotrophin signaling and neuroimmune function
Placebo oral capsuleDRUGmatched to active drug, ibudilast
Placebo (for MN-166)DRUG -
riluzoleDRUGPatient is given 50 mg riluzole twice daily.
TemozolomideDRUGTemozolomide is an oral chemotherapy drug. It is an alkylating agent used as a treatment of some brain cancers; and a first-line treatment for glioblastoma multiforme.
Ibudilast 20mgDRUGIbudilast 20mg BID
Ibudilast 50mgDRUGIbudilast 50mg BID
Placebo oral tabletDRUG -
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to 80 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites16

Major Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female subjects age 18 - 80 years, inclusive; * Diagnosis of familial or sporadic ALS as defined by the El Escorial-Revised (2000) research diagnostic criteria for ALS \[clinically definite, clinically probable, probable-laboratory-supported\]; * ALS onset of ≤18...

Countries:United StatesCanada
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Frequently asked questions about MN-166

What is MN-166 used for?

MN-166 is an investigational small molecule being studied for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and glioblastoma. It is not approved for any indication and remains in clinical development. MediciNova holds Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for the ALS program.

Who makes MN-166?

MN-166 is being developed by MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker MNOV. MediciNova is the sponsor of the clinical trials evaluating MN-166 in ALS and glioblastoma.

What phase is MN-166 in?

MN-166 is in Phase 2 development. The ALS program includes a Phase 2 trial that is active but not recruiting, and a completed Phase 2 trial. A completed Phase 1 study evaluated MN-166 in combination with temozolomide in glioblastoma. MN-166 is investigational and has not been approved by the FDA.

What clinical trials is MN-166 in?

MN-166 has been studied in three registered trials. NCT04057898 is an active Phase 2 ALS trial of 234 patients in the United States and Canada. NCT02238626 is a completed Phase 2 ALS trial of 70 patients. NCT03782415 is a completed Phase 1 glioblastoma trial of 64 patients testing MN-166 with temozolomide.

Is MN-166 the same as ibudilast?

Yes, MN-166 is the development code for ibudilast, the same compound. MediciNova uses the MN-166 designation for its clinical programs, and the trial titles for the ALS and glioblastoma studies refer to the drug as ibudilast or MN-166 (Ibudilast).

What FDA designations has MN-166 received?

MN-166 has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis program. These designations are intended to support and expedite development of therapies for serious conditions, but they do not constitute approval. MN-166 remains investigational.