Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LES)

Investigational Drug, Firdapse, Available at No Cost to U.S. Patients with LEMS Coral Gables drug company to make new medicine available at no cost April 23, 2014 Evan S. Benn Coral Gables-based Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners soon will make its investigational drug Firdapse available at no cost to patients with a certain autoimmune disorder. The drug, which is supposed to relieve muscle weakness in people with Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, is entering the final phase of its clinical trials. Catalyst said it expects to submit an application for Firdapse’s approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration next year. Catalyst has been leading the development of Firdapse in the United States since 2012; the drug already is government-approved and commercially available in Europe. During the U.S. approval process, Catalyst said it will establish an expanded-access program to make Firdapse available for free to patients with LEMS. “As part of our ongoing commitment t