- More than 9,500 researchers, healthcare providers, and advocates from 120 countries gathered in Barcelona to attend the world’s largest MS research conference – the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) Congress.
- Under the theme “A New Era of Precision”, this year’s congress highlighted a shift in MS care toward earlier diagnosis, personalised treatment, and strategies that may one day prevent the disease.
- MS Australia attended ECTRIMS to strengthen global research collaborations and reinforce Australia’s leadership in advancing MS prevention, treatment, and care.
The European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) recently held its annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain, from 24–26 September 2025.
This meeting is widely regarded as the pinnacle of scientific and medical research into MS, bringing together researchers and health professionals from around the world to share the latest updates and breakthroughs in the treatment, care, and management of MS.
Under the theme “A New Era of Precision”, this year’s congress highlighted a major shift in how MS is being understood and addressed, through earlier and more accurate diagnosis, personalised treatment approaches, and deeper insights into disease mechanisms. The focus on precision reflects a growing commitment to tailoring care to each individual and advancing strategies that could one day prevent MS altogether.
Our team at MS Australia had the privilege of attending the conference to bring these highlights back to the Australian community. The knowledge gained and collaborations formed will inform our work as we continue pushing forward toward prevention, better treatments, and ultimately, a cure for MS.
Selecting features is never easy, with many sessions running concurrently, but this article provides an overview of some of the key highlights.
From reaction to prevention: prioritising brain health and cognitive function in MS care
Professor Maria Pia Amato (Italy) gave the opening lecture, describing the progress and perspectives on cognitive function in MS. Cognitive function refers to how well our brain processes information, including memory, attention, problem-solving, and the ability to think clearly. For people living with MS, changes in cognitive function can affect everyday tasks like remembering appointments, focusing at work, or making decisions.
Professor Amato’s presentation set an inspiring tone for the congress. She emphasised that cognitive symptoms remain a significant concern for those living with MS, underscoring the need for ongoing research to address the full impact of the disease on quality of life.
A key takeaway from her lecture was the importance of shifting our approach, from simply reacting to symptoms as they arise, to actively working to prevent them, by placing brain health and cognitive function at the heart of MS care.
Unravelling the EBV connection: international studies pave the way for MS prevention
The EBV educational session at ECTRIMS 2025 spotlighted the latest research into the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in MS. Experts, including Dr Marianna Cortese (USA), Professor Jan Lünemann (Germany) and Professor Øivind Torkildsen (Norway), presented findings from two major international studies:
- BEHIND-MS: Investigating how EBV might trigger MS and identifying early markers for intervention.
- EBV-MS – Exploring immune responses to EBV in people with and without MS, with the goal of developing vaccines or antiviral therapies.
The session also highlighted some intriguing findings, such as the much lower risk of MS in people living with HIV. Researchers believe this may be due to the way HIV affects the immune system, and ongoing studies are exploring these connections further. By investigating how EBV interacts with the immune system and whether targeting the virus could reduce MS risk, researchers hope to find better strategies for stopping MS before it starts. Together, these studies are advancing our understanding of MS causes and opening the door to prevention, marking a major shift in the field’s approach to disease prevention.
Faster, more accurate MS diagnosis: the impact of the updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria
ECTRIMS 2025 featured dedicated sessions on the updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS. Experts discussed how these new guidelines are helping clinicians diagnose MS earlier and more accurately, using advanced tools like MRI scans, eye tests, and spinal fluid biomarkers. One presentation from Dr Luca Bollo (Spain) showed that under the new criteria, compared to the 2017 version, 71% of people were diagnosed, vs 47% previously. The time to diagnosis was also reduced, allowing clinical teams to diagnose faster.
Presenters highlighted the impact of these changes on MS care, emphasising that quicker and more precise diagnosis means people can start treatment sooner and potentially avoid long-term disability. The sessions also explored how the criteria are being applied in real-world clinical settings and what further improvements might be on the horizon.
Rethinking MS: From labels to biology
One session at ECTRIMS 2025 explored how MS is being redefined, not just by symptoms or disease type, but by what’s happening inside the body. Instead of focusing only on clinical labels like relapsing or progressive MS, researchers are now looking at the biological processes driving the disease in each person.
Understanding the biological mechanisms and characterising these more effectively will lead to more personalised treatments and better ways to predict how MS will progress. Dr Alessia Bianchi (Italy) presented a study which used a type of AI called machine learning to analyse MRI scans from people with MS and identified two types: one with lots of lesions early, another with widespread brain shrinkage but few lesions. These subtypes are also linked to clinical disability.
Another study used machine learning to analyse MRI and clinical data from over 1,500 people with MS and 500 without MS. Presented by Dr Paola Valsasina, these models could distinguish between people with MS and people without MS to 95% accuracy and also predict how much disability a person with MS might have. It’s another example of the conference’s theme, “A New Era of Precision,” in action.
Promising new treatments for MS and NMOSD
This year’s ECTRIMS conference in Barcelona showcased several promising new treatments for MS and related conditions, offering real hope through the results of major international studies.
Ocrelizumab: helping more people at more stages
At ECTRIMS 2025, new findings from the ORATORIO-HAND and OPERETTA 2 studies, presented by Professor Gavin Giovannoni (UK) and Professor Brenda Banwell (USA), respectively, reinforced the benefits of ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) across different stages of MS. For adults with advanced primary progressive MS, ocrelizumab significantly slowed overall disability progression and helped preserve upper limb function, which is critical for maintaining independence in daily life. For children and teens with relapsing MS, it was shown to be both safe and effective, offering a much-needed treatment option for younger people.
The session also presented reassuring data on pregnancy and breastfeeding. Babies exposed to ocrelizumab during these periods were still able to develop healthy immune responses to vaccines, suggesting no compromise in immune function.
These findings highlight ocrelizumab’s expanding role in MS care, from early life to advanced disease stages.
Fenebrutinib: a powerful new oral option
Associate Professor Jiwon Oh (University of Toronto, Canada) presented new data from a two-year Phase II study showing that people taking fenebrutinib, a BTK inhibitor, had fewer relapses, no new brain inflammation, and improved markers of nerve health. BTK inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that activates immune cells involved in MS-related inflammation, both in the bloodstream and inside the brain. Fenebrutinib’s ability to reach the brain and target these cells directly may help reduce chronic inflammation more effectively. These results suggest it could become a valuable future option for people with relapsing MS.
MIL62: hope for NMOSD
Professor Dehui Huang (PLA General Hospital, China) shared exciting results about a new treatment called MIL62 for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a rare autoimmune condition. Like MS, NMOSD involves the immune system mistakenly attacking the protective covering around nerve cells (called myelin), leading to inflammation and nerve damage. It mainly affects the optic nerves, the spinal cord and sometimes specific areas of the brain. Because symptoms can vary widely, it’s called a “spectrum” disorder, and early on, it’s often mistaken for MS, though it requires different treatment.
In a large international study, only 1 in 20 people treated with MIL62 had a relapse over a year, compared to nearly 1 in 2 who didn’t receive the treatment. MIL62 also helped reduce signs of inflammation on brain scans and improved overall disability scores. These results suggest it could become a powerful new option for a condition that currently has few treatments.
Strengthening global connections
In addition to attending scientific sessions, MS Australia also took part in several international meetings held alongside the main ECTRIMS 2025 program. These gatherings provided valuable opportunities to connect with global research leaders, share insights, and contribute to collaborative efforts shaping the future of MS research and care.
The International Progressive MS Alliance uses ECTRIMS as a chance to bring together those from their Scientific Steering Committee, including representatives from MS Australia, and Industry Forum to discuss crossover and ongoing strategy.
The Global MS Strategic Research Group brings together the research-intensive MS organisations worldwide, of which MS Australia is one. This meeting covered the various initiatives underway and provided a space to present future opportunities for the different national MS organisations to work together.
One key meeting brought together members of the Australian Consortium for EBV Research in MS (ACE-MS), supported by MS Australia, and the EU-funded EBV-MS consortium to strengthen international collaboration, share insights, and explore joint opportunities. Both groups are conducting clinical trials on antiviral therapies targeting EBV, and this meeting reinforced Australia’s role in shaping global strategies for MS prevention.
By participating in these global conversations, MS Australia helped ensure that the Australian MS research community remains closely connected to international efforts, bringing a local perspective to global strategies and reinforcing our commitment to advancing MS research through collaboration.
Looking ahead: Australia’s role in global MS research
MS Australia remains committed to bringing the latest research to our community and supporting efforts that move us closer to prevention, better treatments, and a cure. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates and insights from the global MS research community.
