Essentia Health’s new drug treatment is being administered through their ALS Expanded Access Protocol (EAP). However, it’s a new non-FDA approved drug treatment where their first ever patient with long-term ASL, Todd Lauer was administered it first right here in the Northland.

Todd Lauer has lived with the disease for nearly 9 years. Although Essentia Health’s new drug treatment is bringing hope to him and his family.

“Usually if you’ve had it [ALS] for two years or more, that’s too long. They want to be able to see progression and those kind of things.” Lauer said. “So for our family it’s given us hope, right? It’s given us hope that we’re going to be able to do more things as a family that most people take for granted.”

While Lauer is the first patient to try Essentia Health’s new drug treatment, several other ALS patients are interested in trying it. Dr. Amber Erickson, the Medical Director of the ALS Association at Essentia Health’s Duluth Clinic Neurology, says the EAP, however, provides access to non-FDA approved drugs that could help people with long-term ALS.

“Never Surrender has been very supportive of that over the last couple of years. So the EAP is able to offer medications that are currently not FDA approved, for patients that aren’t able to participate in research trials. From those that attend our clinic, we do have a list of people that are interested,” Dr. Erickson said. “So we’re hoping to enroll more in the next weeks to months.”

Never Surrender Inc. is the leading the fundraiser to fight ALS in Minnesota. David Kolquist, the president of the non-profit organization says this new drug treatment could bring hope to people who’s lived with the disease for several years.

“I had a brother that fought ALS for 10 years. They lived five years without any hope. There were no drugs. When you have a terminal illness, it’s only going one direction,” Kolquist said. “But today is a day that actually people are receiving it in the Northland. It’s been a lot of work by a lot of people to make today a reality.”

The new treatment took four years of development. Although this is a big step for people in the Northland, according to Kolquist. Minnesota is the second state in the nation with most cases in ALS, with an estimated 450 patients. Wisconsin and Michigan are also in the top seven states with most numerous ALS cases.

For more information about Never Surrender Inc. you can read more here. Also for another story with Todd Lauer’s involvement with raising funds and awareness for ALS you can read more here.