Submitted by lac59 on Tue, 29/04/2025 - 10:49
This international award has gone to three development projects in Canada and the United Kingdom, which will each receive €100,000 to begin planning for future clinical trials.
Dr. Stefano Pluchino’s team is one of three projects to have received funding for clinical trial development projects as part of the International Progressive MS Alliance’s Experimental Medicine Trial Awards. These development studies are for planning, developmental efforts, and/or validation opportunities with a goal of growing into full clinical trials to help us better understand MS progression and find new treatments for the disease.
His project: Designing a trial to test neural stem cell therapy in progressive MS
Led by Dr. Stefano Pluchino is a Clinical Professor of Regenerative Neuroimmunology and Honorary Consultant in Neurology, within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, UK, along with co-PI Dr. Angelo Vescovi of University Link Campus IT and Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center, UAE.
Findings from recent studies have shown that transplanting brain stem cells – cells with the potential to renew themselves into various brain cell types – may reduce the rapid disease progression associated with progressive MS. This development study aims to establish the foundation for a future clinical trial to assess the neuroprotective and neurorestorative capability of stem cell transplantation from donor tissue directly into the brain of progressive MS patients.
Within this project, the investigators will establish and activate a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group to incorporate patient perspectives into decision-making throughout the process.
The Alliance opened a Request for Applications (RFA) last year, to offer funding for innovative studies that advance our knowledge of disease pathophysiology by 1) helping us understand how a treatment or therapy works at a cellular level, 2) learning more about the biological processes that lead to the damage of the nervous system in progressive MS, and/or 3) ensuring that measurement outcomes are consistent.
The awards have two tracks: Development awards and Trial awards. Trial awards are expected to be announced in June 2025.
The perspectives, experience and expertise of people affected by MS are a fundamental part of the Alliance’s work, including every stage of the research process. A requirement for the Experimental Medicine Trial Awardsis that all projects are developed with, and informed by, perspectives of people affected by progressive MS, including trial design and key outcomes.
“As we reviewed the applications for this award, we evaluated each one on the extent to which they were aiming to solve real problems that those of us living with progressive MS face,” said Najia Chafai, a member of the Alliance’s People Affected by MS Engagement Coordination Team and Scientific Steering Committee, who lives with progressive MS. “Whether it’s slowing progression, improving function or repairing damage, these development studies show thoughtful consideration of the needs of people living with the disease.”
The 18-month development projects will each receive €100,000 and are set to take place in Canada, Scotland and England, with involvement of team members from around the world.
Fatigability Induced by Exercise in MS as an outcome measure in a phase II clinical trial to select potential drugs for progressive MS
Led by Dr. Don Mahad, a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the University of Edinburgh's Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic based in Edinburgh, Scotland, this project aims to develop an innovative clinical trial platform using exercise-induced fatigability as a way to assess the efficacy of neuroprotective drugs that regulate neuronal energy and learn whether they will improve neurological function in MS. The team will test drugs that have shown promising results in animal models – in both improved motor and cognitive function and neuroprotection.
Testing salbutamol, alone and in combination with ibudilast, for treatment of progressive MS
Led by Dr. Wee Yong, professor at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Oncology at the University of Calgary in Canada. The projected outcome of this study is to attain definitive evidence in models of MS that salbutamol, alone and especially in combination with ibudilast, changes the properties of injurious microglia normally seen in progressive MS into a non-toxic reparative form. Another outcome is to determine the effect of salbutamol, alone and in combination with ibudilast, in promoting the repair of myelin. If successful, the team hopes to present a plan for a phase II trial to test the efficacy of salbutamol, alone or in combination with ibudilast, in progressive MS patients.
About the International Progressive MS Alliance
The Alliance exists to accelerate the development of effective treatments for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis to improve quality of life worldwide. It is an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organizations, researchers, health professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, companies, trusts, foundations, donors, and people affected by progressive MS, working together to address the unmet needs of people with progressive MS ─ rallying the global community to find solutions. Our promise is more than hope, it is progress. Learn more at www.progressivemsalliance.org