Like many charities, our research programme has been affected by coronavirus. When we surveyed our grant holders at the beginning of the pandemic, more than 70% who responded reported significant disruption to their work. Clinical trials staff adapted so they could carry out follow up visits by phone. Lab workers analysed results and wrote up findings from home. And MS researchers across the world kept in touch and shared ideas virtually.
There’s still disruption and many projects had to pause or have been delayed. But researchers are now able to access their labs, with strict social distancing measures. We’ve been focusing on supporting our researchers to complete the projects they’ve started. And we’re working with the Association of Medical Research Charities to ask the Government to commit to a Life Sciences Charity Partnership Fund, to bridge the charity sector’s projected gap in research funding.
Picking up pace
Recruitment to clinical trials is also gathering momentum again. We’re pleased to say that our MS-STAT2 trial has now recruited over 800 participants, out of a target of 1050. This phase 3 trial is testing if a cholesterol-lowering drug could help people with secondary progressive MS.
Despite the challenges, our researchers are continuing to make progress towards our goal of stopping MS. In September, we shared results from our bexarotene clinical trial, showing that myelin repair is possible in humans. We also announced our new trial of the diabetes drug, metformin, which will build on this promising work.
Stop MS
As part of the Stop MS Appeal, we’ll be sharing stories about the clinical trials that will help us stop MS and how MS research is continuing to move forward. Keep an eye on our social media channels for updates. Any donations (from individuals or our groups) we receive towards research will be strictly ring-fenced to support this vital work.
We're still committed to supporting the very best MS research. Although we won’t be launching any open research funding calls this year, we’re still planning our efficient clinical trials platform, which will speed up the search for new treatments.
Our ambition hasn’t changed. By 2025 we want to be in the final stages of testing a range of treatments for everyone with MS. Coronavirus may have slowed down our progress, but it won’t stop us stopping MS.
