MS Society funds second stage of myelin repair research

MS Society funds second stage of myelin repair research

07 Feb 2011

In December, we announced great news that scientists at the University of Cambridge had found a way of reversing damage to myelin using stem cells. The work was funded by the MS Society. Today we’re delighted to announce we’ve committed more than £2 million over the next five years to fund the second stage of this research. Professor Robin Franklin and his team at the MS Society Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair will work collaboratively with world leading experts in MS (like those based at the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for Translational Research and the MRI unit at the Institute of Neurology) to carry out the next stage. In the first stage of the study researchers found a drug that could potentially repair myelin; in stage two they’ll: 1. test this treatment for how effective it is in people with MS, and at what dose 2. trial it for safety in people with MS 3. build on recent advances in myelin repair research, so it’s possible to identify more potential MS treatments in the future This next phase of the study will start in April 2011 and finish in 2016. If the work proves successful, further clinical trials in larger numbers of people will take place to reveal whether the potential treatment is safe and effective for people to use. Then it’ll then need to go through the necessary regulatory hurdles before it’s licensed and available. We’re still some way off a drug coming through, but these are positive steps. Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, said: “We’ve been consistently impressed with the world class work of the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair and we’re delighted that the generosity of our supporters enables us to continue funding this outstanding research centre.”

http://goo.gl/5QfVT