Funding boost for first potentially regenerative treatment for MS

An international team has secured around £500k to advance a therapy that could halt multiple sclerosis progression, repair nerve damage and potentially restore lost functions.

The treatment targets excitotoxicity – a destructive process that kills nerve cells in MS.

By blocking this without disrupting normal brain activity, the compound promotes repair of myelin, the protective sheath around nerves.

Dr Iain Greig, reader in medicinal chemistry at the University of Aberdeen, said: “This generous funding will allow us to continue to make progress in bringing this research closer to reality and I’m deeply grateful for the support.

“The potential of this therapy is enormous, not only could it stop MS progression, but it could actually help repair damaged nerves and restore some functions already lost for people living with MS, something never achieved previously.

“Being able to take this work forward offers us a unique way to address the root causes of the nerve damage we see in MS patients, and I’m excited by what this could mean for MS patients and others with neurodegenerative diseases.”

Around 2.8m people worldwide live with MS, including about 18,000 in Scotland, one of the highest rates globally.

MS occurs when the immune system attacks myelin, disrupting communication between the brain and body and causing symptoms such as fatigue, vision problems and mobility difficulties.

Current treatments can slow disease activity but cannot repair existing damage. In animal models, the new compound has restored motor skills and rebuilt myelin, even when given after symptoms developed.

The research is now in final preclinical testing before moving to human trials.

CAMH and Aberdeen have patented the work and are seeking industry partners.

Dr Fang Liu is senior scientist at CAMH and professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

Liu said: “Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with an estimated 90,000 people living with the disease.

“Our compound could transform MS treatment, not just slowing the disease, but helping people regain what they’ve lost.

“I’m grateful for this new funding to take us one step closer to clinical trials for this potentially life-altering treatment.”