As the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community hailed work published last week identifying a new gene linked to the disease, Cytokinetics Inc. and Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. strengthened their existing skeletal muscle activator deal with a focus on ALS, including an option to Astellas for rights to tirasemtiv, currently being tested in the phase III VITALITY-ALS study that could lead to approval applications in the U.S. and Europe.