February 3, 2026
UBC ALS & Related Disorders Research Program – 2026 Outlook
As we step into 2026, I am filled with a profound sense of optimism for the ALS community in British Columbia. For the first time in over 10 years, our province is on the cusp of a new era. We are entering this year with clinical trials, integrated translational research, and dedicated basic science programs finally available right here at home.
With the steadfast support of the ALS Society of BC and ALS BC PROJECT HOPE, the University of British Columbia (UBC) ALS & Related Disorders (ALSRD) Research Program has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, we stand on a foundation designed to support a comprehensive, world-class ALS research ecosystem in BC.
Integrated Care at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
At the heart of this transformation is ALS BC PROJECT HOPE in partnership with the UBC Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH). Under my leadership, we are bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and compassionate clinical care.
Our facility is home to an exceptional Clinical Care Team, including a dedicated nurse, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, dietician, and a social worker. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that, while we pursue the cures of tomorrow, we provide the highest standard of support and specialized intervention for our patients today.
Restoring Clinical Trials in British Columbia
After more than a decade without local ALS clinical trials, we begin 2026 prepared to launch multiple investigator-led and industry-sponsored studies. This re-establishes BC as an active, vital contributor to global ALS therapeutic development.
Two major interventional clinical trials are currently our primary focus:
- ALSTARS (COYA-302, Phase 2) – a randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter study evaluating a novel immunomodulatory approach for ALS. Ethics and operational approvals are actively underway, with recruitment anticipated in mid 2026. Research staff training and site initiation preparations are already in progress.
- GOALS (ALN-SOD, Phase 1, First-in-Human) – an international study targeting SOD1-associated ALS, bringing cutting-edge genetic medicine to BC. As a Phase 1 trial, this effort requires extensive coordination across multiple hospital departments, all of which are being actively engaged in preparation for ethics submission and site activation.
These trials represent far more than individual studies: they mark the return of ALS clinical trials to BC, offering renewed hope to patients and families who have long had to travel outside the province for experimental therapies. As emerging details and opportunities becomes available, we encourage you to visit www.projecthopealsbc.ca or contact [email protected] with any questions.
Strengthening Observational and Patient-Centered Research
In parallel with our clinical work, UBC has expanded observational and registry-based research to ensure that every patient interaction contributes to knowledge generation and future discovery.
- The UBC ALS-FTD Study, conducted jointly with the UBC Dementia Clinic, is building a deeply characterized cohort of individuals with ALS, FTD, or both. Importantly, it includes a brain and spinal cord donation (autopsy) program, now supported by a formal collaboration with BC Transplant. Enrollment continues to grow steadily.
- The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) has been re-established at UBC, reconnecting BC patients with national research networks and future trial opportunities.
- A novel Child Mental Health Study is addressing the often-overlooked psychological impact of ALS on children of affected parents, expanding the ALSRD program’s reach beyond biology to the human and family dimensions of ALS.
Our Provincial ALS Biobank and iPSC Platform
A cornerstone of future discovery is the emerging UBC ALSRD Biobank, designed to securely store clinical data and biological samples from individuals with ALS and related disorders across BC. Its first active component focuses on generating patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from blood samples.
Operational approvals have already been secured across multiple health authorities, staff have been trained in sample collection, and recruitment has begun. This biobank will enable researchers to study ALS mechanisms directly in patient-derived cells, accelerating the translation of discoveries into therapies.
Advancing Basic and Translational Science
UBC has also invested in people and platforms, recruiting early-career investigators who are already making international impact.
- Basic science efforts are focused on developing innovative cellular and genetic models of ALS, including iPSC-derived motor neurons and neuromuscular junctions, in collaboration with leading international partners. New genome-editing approaches (CRISPR/Cas9) and in-house iPSC generation will be established to support mechanistic and therapeutic studies.
- Advanced neuroimaging research is pushing ALS biomarkers beyond descriptive scans toward trial-ready tools. UBC investigators have published in leading journals and are developing MRI-based and AI-driven approaches capable of detecting disease progression and treatment effects over short timeframes, an essential step for successful clinical trials.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Leadership
What has been accomplished in the past year represents only the beginning. With clinical trials returning, a biobank taking shape, and innovative basic and translational research underway, the UBC ALSRD Research Program is being built as a fully integrated bench-to-bedside enterprise.
Thanks to the commitment of donors, patients, families, clinicians, and researchers, and the leadership of the ALS Society of BC and ALS BC PROJECT HOPE, British Columbia is once again positioned to contribute meaningfully to the global effort to understand, treat, and ultimately defeat ALS and related motor neuron disorders.
The progress achieved after so many years without local trials underscores a powerful truth: hope is built through sustained investment, collaboration, and belief in what is possible. Together, we are rebuilding ALS research in BC—and creating momentum that will carry us forward for years to come. As more details and updates become available, we will continue to update them at www.projecthopealsbc.ca.
Dr. Erik P Pioro
ALS Society of BC Professor and Chair of ALS Research,
Department of Medicine (Neurology), UBC