Founder of MelTec GmbH and Proteomics Researcher, Walter Schubert of Otto-von-Guericke University Awarded U.S. Patents for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

MAGDEBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 2003

Walter Schubert, university educator, founder and partner of MelTec GmbH today announced that he has been awarded three U.S. patents related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a devastating neurological disease the cause of which is unknown. It affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord, while leaving the intellect usually completely intact throughout the course of the disease. Apart from a few unconvincing claims of recovery, ALS is a fatal disease, with a mean duration of two to four years. Severe breathing problems occur due to impairment of the respiratory musculature in progressive stages. ALS results in death by choking, posing tremendous disease management problems.

Walter Schubert said that ALS is the cruelest disease he has ever encountered saying, "This is particularly true of the later stages of disease when patients suffer progressively from respiratory insufficiency."

Similarly, in an article on ALS, W.B. Mathiews stated that, "I have never used assisted ventilation by tracheotomy or endotracheal tubes as this only serves in prolonging an intolerable existence. The final stages of which demand the use of morphine (Oxford Textbook of Medicine)." There are no effective therapies capable of stopping the disease available today.