Media Release

Media Release

MS Australia joins with international counterparts to commit to a shared global research strategy to accelerate cures for MS

9 June 2023

Agreement seeks to coordinate resources on the highest potential research

MS Australia, together with Multiple Sclerosis organisations from the US, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and the MS International Federation, have jointly declared their collective commitment to a global research strategy to cure MS. 

There are multiple pathways to identifying MS cures and this global coordination will effectively address knowledge gaps and avoid duplication to accelerate progress.  

Through the Global Research Strategy Framework, the organisations will:  

  • Complete a landscape analysis of MS research funding and infrastructure  
  • Share national research plans and identify specific areas for collaboration and acceleration 
  • Align individual and collective resources on the Global Research Framework 
  • Create new joint initiatives to address strategic gaps  
  • Report on progress together. 

Pathways to Cures divides the strategic research objectives for MS into three goals:  

  • Stop: MS in its tracks by ending disease activity and preventing further progression for those who already have MS. 
  • Restore: Restore what has been lost by repairing the nervous system and boosting rehabilitative approaches to restore function. 
  • End: End the disease forever by finding the cause of MS, understanding what triggers it, and protecting against it. 

MS Australia Chief Executive Officer Rohan Greenland says the Pathways to Cures Statement is a crucially important step to ending MS. 

“MS Australia is not only a partner, but a joint leader in this important global initiative. We are committed to working together with other MS organisations to fast-track the cures for MS,’’ Mr Greenland said.  

“By working more closely, we will go further and faster down the pathways to cures,” Mr Greenland said. 

MS Australia President, Associate Professor Des Graham attended the Pathways to Cures Global Summit in New York and says the importance of collaboration on the international stage cannot be underestimated. 

“We are stronger together, and the agreement reached at the Summit will ensure that through greater global collaboration and coordination that we will achieve MS cures faster, an outcome the MS community, including researchers, funders, carers and people living with MS are united in achieving,” Associate Professor Graham said. 

MS Organisations Endorsing this Statement:

  • Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italian MS Society) 
  • Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft (Germany) 
  • Esclerosis Múltiple España (Spain) 
  • Fondation pour l’Aide à la Recherche sur la Sclérose En Plaques (France) 
  • MS Australia 
  • MS Canada 
  • MS International Federation (Global) 
  • MS Society UK 
  • National MS Society (US) 
  • Scleroseforeningen (Danish MS Society) 

 For further details regarding Summit outcomes see Pathways to Cures Global Summit Summary

Download the Media Release in PDF

MEDIA CONTACTS:
media@msaustralia.org.au
Lisa Montague – 0412 002 544
Jayme Markus – 0401 944 905

About Pathways to Cures

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a growing global health challenge affecting over 33,000 Australians and nearly 3 million people worldwide. Tremendous progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of MS over the last several decades, but cures remain elusive. Progress will be hastened by having a roadmap that describes the knowledge gaps, milestones, and research priorities leading to cures for everyone with MS.

The Pathways to Cures Roadmap was published in 2022 and includes carefully considered recommendations from leaders in MS research and clinical care, as well as people living with a lived experience with MS. The Roadmap has been endorsed by 30 leading MS patient and professional organisations across the globe including MS Australia.

Research breakthroughs leading to MS cures will require strategic investments in areas of high opportunity and increased multidisciplinary collaboration. The Pathways to Cures Roadmap is a comprehensive plan to achieve MS cures. It is a focal point to coordinate, innovate and optimize research investments.

About MS Australia

MS Australia is Australia’s national multiple sclerosis (MS) not-for-profit organisation that empowers researchers to identify ways to treat, prevent and cure MS, seeks sustained and systemic policy change via advocacy, and acts as the national champion for Australia’s community of people affected by MS.

MS Australia represents and collaborates with its state and territory MS Member Organisations, people with MS, their carers, families and friends and various national and international bodies to:

  • Fund, coordinate, educate and advocate for MS research as part of the worldwide effort to solve MS
  • Provide the latest evidence-based information and resources
  • Help meet the needs of people affected by MS.
web-informs

InforMS: a new MS management app co-designed by people with MS

People living with MS explain why they love the new...
new-tools-web

New tools for MS researchers launched to enhance clinical outcomes research

MS Australia-supported researchers have developed a suite of free tools...

Want us to keep you in the loop? Subscribe today!

  • Enter your details

Read More
Nigel Caswell and Stevie

Newsletter subscription

  • Enter your details

MS Australia joins with international counterparts to commit to a shared global research strategy to accelerate cures for MS