Global Prevention and Early Detection Initiative: Inaugural Workshop
9am Wednesday 23 April, Lisbon
A new international effort to prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) is officially underway, as researchers, clinicians, people living with MS, and MS organisations from around the world gather in Lisbon, Portugal, for the inaugural Global Prevention and Early Detection Initiative workshop.
Over a five-year period, MS Canada is contributing $5m and MS Australia, a further $2.5m to support this global initiative. Together, they will work with international collaborators and the Global MS Research Strategy Group to fund research focused on the window of risk and preclinical stages of MS.
Delivering her opening remarks at today’s workshop, Dr Pamela Valentine, President and CEO of MS Canada, reflected upon the momentum of MS research catalyzed by the strength and collaboration of the global MS community.
“We have an unprecedented opportunity given the progress that has been made in better understanding MS. We believe this global initiative will allow for better understanding of risk factors and ultra-early detection that will help us move towards preventing MS for future generations,” Dr Valentine said.
The global prevention initiative builds on the strong foundations of existing international research initiatives and partnerships and comes in response to the latest iteration of the Pathways to Cures Roadmap, which outlines research areas with the greatest potential to stop MS, restore function and repair damage from the disease, and end MS through prevention.
In response to this report, MS Canada and MS Australia led a proposal that their next global priority would be prevention, early detection and early intervention.
Addressing the workshop delegates today, Rohan Greenland CEO of MS Australia, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the Pathways to Cures strategy, a vision focused on stopping progression, restoring function, and ultimately preventing MS from occurring in the first place.
“Prevention is a cornerstone of this strategy, and it underscores the critical importance of identifying risk factors of MS, improving early detection of MS, and investing in research that could one day eliminate MS altogether,” Mr Greenland said.
“The potential of this new global initiative into the prevention and ultra-early detection of MS efforts to transform lives is truly inspiring. I encourage each of you to remain engaged and actively support these endeavours. Your involvement is essential to achieving our shared vision of a world free from MS.”
