News

Fast Forward, LLC, Announces $1 Million Sponsored Research Agreement to Fund Proof of Principle Clinical Trial for Therapeutic Vaccine

Dec 23, 2008
Fast Forward, LLC, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s subsidiary devoted to bridging the gap between research and drug development, has announced a partnership to support Apitope International NV, the autoimmune peptide therapy company, in its proof of principle clinical trial of ATX-MS-1467. This peptide therapeutic vaccine is designed to target and prevent the abnormal pathological immune response in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Think Tank Examines How to Turn More Lab Discoveries into New Therapies for Progressive MS

Dec 12, 2008
Fast Forward and Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center bring together competitors to strategize on overcoming gaps in the therapy pipeline.

Results Published: Oral Drug BG00012 Reduced MRI Inflammation in Relapsing-Remitting MS During Phase 2 Trial -- Phase 3 Trials Recruiting Patients

Oct 23, 2008
Results of a controlled clinical trial of oral BG00012 (dimethyl fumarate, Biogen Idec, Inc) involving 257 people with relapsing-remitting MS have now been published, showing that, compared to inactive placebo, the highest tested dose led to a 69% reduction in active inflammation on MRI scans from weeks 12 to 24. The study was published in the October 25, 2008 issue of The Lancet (2008 372:1463-1472). Based on these positive results, the sponsor is recruiting people with relapsing-remitting MS for two large-scale, Phase 3 clinical trials.

Alemtuzumab Results Published: Reduced MS Relapses and Accumulation -- Phase 3 Trials Recruiting Patients

Oct 22, 2008
Alemtuzumab (Genzyme Corporation) reduced the accumulation of disability and the frequency of relapses in people with early relapsing-remitting MS, compared to Rebif® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer, Inc.) in a Phase 2 trial. Those on alemtuzumab experienced adverse events more frequently, including immune thrombocytopenic purpura (a serious bleeding disorder), thyroid adverse events, and infections. The results have now been published, and two Phase 3 trials are currently recruiting participants with relapsing-remitting MS.

President Signs the ADA Amendments Act — a Bill Reaffirming Protections for People with Disabilities

Oct 06, 2008
The power of the Society’s MS activist network to help move public policy legislation forward was dramatically illustrated with the recent passage and signing of the ADA Amendments Act, which brings millions of people back under the protection of the Americans with Disabilities Act.