Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects over 33,000 Australians and millions worldwide. Despite decades of research, the exact causes of MS remain unclear, and current treatments are limited in their ability to stop or reverse disease progression.
MS Australia is leading the charge with a suite of transformative initiatives that aim not only to treat, but ultimately to prevent MS. With your support, we can accelerate breakthroughs that will change lives and reshape the future of MS research globally.
PLATYPUS is Australia’s first adaptive clinical trial for progressive MS, designed to fast-track the discovery of treatments that repair nerve damage and protect the brain using repurposed medications.
Progressive MS is a clinical form of MS characterised by continual worsening of symptoms and disability without periods of recovery. This complex autoimmune and neurodegenerative condition manifests differently in individuals over time, but without treatment, disability steadily accumulates. While there are a variety of treatments available that target the immune system dysfunction in MS, dealing with progression has been a much more difficult problem to solve.
PLATYPUS (PLatform Adaptive Trial for remYelination and neuroProtection in mUltiple Sclerosis) is an “adaptive” clinical trial initiative based in Australia. Designed to address the critical unmet need in progressive MS, PLATYPUS aims to evaluate repurposed drugs for the capacity to slow the progression of disability in people living with this disease.
Designed to address the critical unmet need in progressive MS, PLATYPUS (PLatform Adaptive Trial for remYelination and neuroProtection in mUltiple Sclerosis) aims to evaluate repurposed drugs for the capacity to slow the progression of disability in people living with this disease.
This flexible and innovative trial design enables the simultaneous testing of multiple potential therapies, significantly accelerating the pace of discovery compared to traditional clinical trials. By operating as a rolling phase II/III trial platform, PLATYPUS ensures that Australians with progressive MS have access to cutting-edge research and the opportunity to participate in world-leading clinical studies.
PLATYPUS is based on the successful design of the UK’s OCTOPUS trial (Optimal Clinical Trials Platform for Multiple Sclerosis), launched in April 2023 and funded by the UK MS Society.
Led by MS Australia and MSWA, in collaboration with a national network of clinicians and researchers, PLATYPUS will apply this world-class research model in an Australian context.
The EBV in MS National Collaborative Platform is a pioneering research initiative using cutting-edge science to uncover how Epstein-Barr virus triggers MS, accelerating the development of targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
This landmark Australian research initiative is led by MS Australia and brings together 40 of Australia’s leading MS researchers and clinicians in a coordinated, nationwide consortium. Its goal is to accelerate understanding of how EBV contributes to MS and to explore innovative strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment.
The program was launched in 2024 following a major $12 million investment from the Australian Government, secured through long-standing advocacy by MS Australia. It was officially unveiled at MS Australia’s inaugural Frontiers in MS Research Symposium.
Key components of the platform include:
The EBV in MS National Collaborative Platform brings synergy and critical mass to bear on one of the most compelling mysteries in MS research. By uniting Australia’s scientific community around this shared goal and supporting clinical trials and international collaborations, the platform aims to transform our understanding of MS and pave the way for revolutionary treatments and ultimately, prevention.
The Global MS Prevention and Early Detection Initiative is a bold international collaboration led by MS Canada and MS Australia. It is focused on managing risk factors, identifying the earliest pathological processes that lead to MS, and intervening to stop the disease before it starts.
Launched in April 2025 at a global workshop in Lisbon, Portugal, the initiative brings together researchers, clinicians, people living with MS, and MS organisations from around the world. It builds on the momentum of the Pathways to Cures Roadmap, which identifies prevention as a critical frontier in MS research.
Over the next five years, MS Canada will contribute $5 million and MS Australia $2.5 million to support this initiative. The funding will drive research into the window of risk and preclinical stages of MS, with the goal of using risk factors for personalised and population medicine, improving early detection, and ultimately preventing the disease altogether.
This initiative is grounded in global collaboration, working closely with the Global MS Research Strategy Group and building on the foundations of existing international partnerships. It represents a shared vision: a world where MS can be stopped before it starts.
MS Australia’s national collaborative research platforms are strategic initiatives that unite researchers, clinicians, and institutions around high-priority MS topics. These platforms are designed to:
Each platform is governed by an independent steering committee, with MS Australia providing coordination, oversight, and funding.
Current Platforms include:
These platforms are not just research infrastructure – they are engines of impact. They enable:
MS Australia’s investigator-led funding program is the backbone of its national research strategy, designed to support high-impact science across the MS research spectrum.
These grants are awarded through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process and are aligned with MS Australia’s strategic priorities: causes and prevention, better treatments, and cures through repair and regeneration.
The program includes:
All grants are subject to annual reporting, with outcomes assessed by their real-world impact – how they improve care, enable earlier diagnosis, expand treatment options, and strengthen support for people living with MS. The program also builds national capacity by training future leaders and accelerating the translation of research into practice.
These projects represent a turning point in MS research – from managing symptoms to preventing the disease altogether. With your help, MS Australia can drive global impact, deliver hope to thousands, and bring us closer to a future free from MS. Your support is not just funding research – it’s an investment in transforming lives.
Join us in accelerating the breakthroughs that will improve treatment, prevent MS before it starts, and pave the way to a cure.
