Paralyzed man WALKS again after experimental drug trial sparks unprecedented results
In this DML Report…
Larry Williams, a 58-year-old from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, suffered a spinal cord injury in a mountain-biking accident when he struck a tree, fracturing his C4 to C6 vertebrae despite wearing a helmet. He underwent spinal surgery and remained paralyzed for two weeks before regaining limited movement through therapy, allowing him to walk short distances with a walker while facing ongoing hand mobility issues and a 40-pound weight loss. Eligible for a Phase 2 clinical trial due to his incomplete spinal cord injury, Williams began treatment in April 2024, receiving daily injections of the experimental drug NVG-291—a peptide designed to enhance nervous system repair—followed by one hour of physical therapy including hand exercises and harness-assisted walking. The randomized trial included participants split evenly between the drug and a placebo group, lasting three months.
By the trial's end in July 2024, Williams had improved his walking speed, covering 10 meters with a walker in 15 seconds compared to 45 seconds beforehand, and he reported continued gains over the following year without further therapy. Recent milestones include standing and balancing while lifting one foot off the ground for 30 seconds—up from just three seconds six months prior—along with the ability to swim laps and perform physical tasks more easily and quickly, with smoother, less restricted leg movements. Researchers observed electrophysiological changes in the NVG-291 group versus placebo, indicating neurological progress.
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NVG-291 functions by blocking inhibitory signals that halt nerve fiber growth after injury, promoting neuron regeneration in the central nervous system, and offers a safe, at-home administration method comparable to cell therapies like stem cells without their complexities. Dr. Monica Perez, scientific chair at Chicago's Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and a Northwestern University professor, noted the drug's prior success in animal models for improving locomotor function, though she emphasized the need for additional studies to assess effect duration, given the current lack of follow-up data. With no FDA-approved treatments for spinal cord injuries, Williams endorses the therapy for others in similar situations, stating it could significantly alter outcomes, while experts stress ongoing research to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.