When Tina Cascio was diagnosed withamyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)in 2020, she knew what to expect.

The drug approval has been met with skepticism because of insufficient clinical data and its sky-high price tag.

All were asking for is a chance to try these drugs, Cascio told Verywell.

If I just have six more months of watching the sun rise and set, thats enough for me.

More than 20,000 people currently live with ALS, with 5,000 individuals diagnosed each year.

Theres currently no cure for the fatal disease.

Is Relyvrio Effective?

There are only three FDA-approved treatments for ALS.

Its not a cure, we understand that.

He said the data shows no major safety concerns that would keep him from prescribing it.

Youre just slowing that progress down, he said.

That could allow patients to have a better quality of life in their last few years, Backman said.

Everyone wants to remain as autonomous as they can in their own bodies.

Scientists should know more about Relyvrios efficacy after the Phase 3 trial is completed in about a year.

But the company hasnt said what it would consider to be a failure.

I see no reason not to.

A Hefty Price Tag

Soon after the FDAs approval, Amylyxreceived flackfor the high cost of Relyvrio.

Were already fighting so hard for our lives.

To have to fight with insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies on top of itits exhausting.

It truly is, Cascio said.

Theres no reason to make money off of a terminal illness.

For many patients, the cost of the drug may be covered largely by their health insurance company.

During the summer of 2014, videos of people dumping ice water over their heads dominated Facebook timelines worldwide.

Most of those donations went to the ALS Association.

More than $2 million went towards developing and testing Relyvrio.

In December 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act.

The law sets aside $100 million per year towards ALS research and treatment development.

We have done this work for many, many years.

This is probably the most exciting time that weve seen, Backman said.

Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new treatment option for patients with ALS.