Late last week, shares of CytoKinetics ($CYTK) tanked when it put out the word that its lead drug for Lou Gehrig's disease had missed the primary endpoint. Today, the biotech added that the ALS drug also missed a string of secondary endpoints, as well. There was, though, one bright spot: The drug achieved the secondary endpoint on what's called "slow vital capacity," billed as an important indication of disease prevention. "While this clinical trial did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint, it is the first clinical trial in patients with ALS to demonstrate a positive and potentially clinically meaningful effect on slow vital capacity, an important measure of disease progression and predictor of survival," said lead investigator Jeremy M. Shefner. "In addition, muscle strength appeared to decline more slowly on tirasemtiv versus placebo. The results of BENEFIT-ALS support continued investigation into the role tirasemtiv may play in the treatment of patients with ALS." Release