International Progressive MS Collaborative established
The collaborative’s mission is to speed up the development of effective disease modifying and symptom management therapies for progressive forms of MS. Research to date, into treating progressive forms of multiple sclerosis, has been under resourced and underfunded, with few treatment options available. This newly formed Collaborative is dedicated to working together, to identify and maximise worldwide resources to accomplish its mission.
The collaborative consists of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and leaders from the MS Societies of Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the US. It is now seeking to engage the international MS research community to develop strategies and priorities in certain areas for research related to progressive forms of MS.
These areas are:
• Experimental models for improved preclinical evaluation of novel therapies,
• Targets/pathways identification and validation/repurposing of existing therapeutic agents,
• Proof-of-concept clinical trial strategies,
• Clinical outcome measures and trial designs,
• Symptom management therapies and rehabilitation strategies.
Research will be tackled with a multi-disciplinary approach to drive new therapies for people with progressive MS. Working groups are being convened on these priority research areas identified.
The groups will identify gaps in the priority areas and suggest funding strategies and collaborative models that can most effectively address these needs. At the end of 2012, these groups will come together in London to share their findings and recommendations.
The collaborative will then prioritise strategies and begin to formulate plans to fund research in the identified areas. The vehicles for funding of this research will be determined by the collaborative in consultation with their respective organisations’ scientific and executive leadership.
In an effort to create momentum around the critical issue of progressive MS, the collaborative intends to host an International Scientific Conference on Progressive MS, provisionally scheduled to take place in Italy in January 2013.
For further information follow the links:
www.msif.org/en/research/international_pr.html
www.msif.org/en/news/msif_news/international_pr.html