Mary Chapman, features writer —

A new $100-million program aims to improve the diversity of participants in U.S. clinical trials with the ultimate goal of achieving better health outcomes and parity in care for underserved patient populations. The initiative seeks to extend the reach of clinical studies to underserved populations in the nation’s urban and rural…

A $25,000 contest is inviting entrepreneurs who have multiple sclerosis (MS), or take care of someone with MS, to pitch their non-therapeutic solutions for people with the neurodegenerative disorder. The virtual Innovation Challenge, which takes place in March 2021, is part of a collaboration between patient-powered platform Lyfebulb…

Eli Lilly has reached an agreement to acquire Disarm Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing a new class of disease-modifying treatments for patients with axonal degeneration, including those with multiple sclerosis (MS). In its announcement, Lilly committed to advancing Disarm’s prospective therapies, currently in preclinical development.

Dragonfly Therapeutics and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) announced an expanded partnership focused on discovering and developing treatment candidates for multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuroinflammation targets. The companies have been working together in therapy research and development for cancer and autoimmune diseases using Dragonfly’s proprietary immunotherapy targeting platform.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $7.2 million grant to a team led by Cleveland Clinic researchers that will study whether a new biomarker might more accurately diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS). Grant money will support a study in 400 adults suspected of having MS to determine if the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved adding new safety data on pregnancy and breastfeeding to the U.S. label for Rebif (interferon beta-1a), a disease-modifying treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The label update draws on findings from a large population-based study, together with…

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many ways to participate in World MS Day 2020 on May 30, set aside to raise awareness about the neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 2.3 million people globally. Organized by the MS International Federation (MSIF), the event brings together the global…

For a comprehensive support app developed for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, RxMx and Roche have won the Patient Engagement Innovation Award from Medtech Breakthrough. The fourth annual awards program recognized top health and medical technology products and companies. Healthcare company RxMx and pharmaceutical company Roche collaborated to produce…

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is launching a virtual effort that seeks to connect multiple sclerosis (MS) communities across the country and raise funds for research in observance of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in Canada. As part of the initiative, called #WeChallengeMS, Canadian…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine initiative is offering a free virtual exercise and social connection program to individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions, according to a press release. Called NeuroSask, the initiative is in collaboration with…

After being rejected twice in the last four years, Fampyra (fampridine; marketed as Ampyra in the U.S.) is now being recommended by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use in the country’s National Health System (NHS) to treat walking disabilities in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Scotland…

Through two new initiatives, multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their healthcare providers can contribute to a global effort to study and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in MS and related disorders. The initiatives are aimed at helping clinicians identify the best way to manage the novel coronavirus in…

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is offering a host of educational activities on wellness strategies that address both the mind and body in its efforts to mark Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Each year, a month is set aside to heighten awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS),…

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is marking Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, March 8-14, by sharing patients’ stories and encouraging participation in fundraising and advocacy efforts. Each year, a week is set aside to heighten awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurodegenerative disorder that affects nearly 1 million people in…

Tri Global Energy is again joining with fellow Texans for Bike MS, the nationwide fundraising cycling series of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Team Wind Force will saddle up May 16-17 for Bike MS Round-Up Ride 2020. Now in its fifth year, the Dallas area team has…

Kevin Schaefer hadn’t been in an airport since he was 4 years old, so he had been looking forward to flying from his home in Cary, North Carolina, to Anaheim, California, in June for the 2019 Cure SMA Conference. As it turned out, his experience didn’t go as expected.

Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 20 years ago, Kathy Miska’s ability to walk has steadily worsened, especially in recent years. As a participant of a pilot study at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, however, she is cheered by the effect of…

To empower and support prospective mothers with multiple sclerosis (MS), MyHealthTeams — a free social network for people with chronic medical conditions — and pharmaceutical EMD Serono have launched the online Family Planning Resource Center. The new center operates within the network’s MyMSTeam, and is sponsored in…

For its promising investigational therapeutic approach to neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is the Buzz of BIO 2020 winner in the Public Therapeutic Biotech category. The Buzz of BIO contest identifies U.S. companies with groundbreaking, early-stage potential to improve lives. The…

Leadership changes at the Accelerated Cure Project (ACP) for Multiple Sclerosis aim to enhance the nonprofit patient-founded organization’s research focus. Robert McBurney has stepped down as president and CEO after eight years to become ACP’s first chief research officer. He will continue in the position of research lead for the…

When Jon Strum began his “RealTalk MS” podcast two years ago, he did not imagine he soon would have thousands of regular listeners in more than 60 countries. Now, Strum’s popular online audio series has a new partner: the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Strum uses his weekly…

The cannabis sativa plant extract Sativex is a cost-effective therapy for spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be offered to patients in England needing it on at least a monthlong trial basis, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said in issuing a final…

Newly launched, the Soothie Cushion is designed to provide seating comfort and help regulate the body temperature of travelers with disabilities, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and myasthenia gravis, says its official retailer, Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea (SNG). The product is said to offer enduring comfort…

Some 4,000 science experts from 126 countries will gather at the 24th World Congress of Neurology (WCN 2019) to discuss cutting-edge research, including advances in diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Hosted by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the Emirates Neurology Society, the conference will run Oct. 27–31, in Dubai,…

Through its Stop MS Appeal campaign, the United Kingdom’s MS Society seeks to raise £100 million (almost $125 million) within the next decade to advance research and treatments that will stop multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Over the next three months, the organization will run an extensive advertising campaign…

Memorial Healthcare Institute for Neurosciences and Multiple Sclerosis announced it will become the first U.S. hospital to test a nerve cell-derived component known as neurofilament light chain (NfL) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Led by the Owosso, Michigan, hospital’s chief of neurology and MS director, Rany Aburashed, DO,…

Leading up to Canada’s Oct. 21 federal election, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is urging citizens to write their local candidates, asking for greater support of those living with the neurodegenerative disorder. Called #MakeMSMatter, the Sept. 4 through Oct. 21 online letter-writing drive is an effort to…

The 11th annual “Burgers to Beat MS” day is set for Aug. 22 in Canada, with $2 from each purchase of an A&W Teen Burger going to the MS Society of Canada to support people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Supporters may also round up their in-restaurant bill to the nearest…

This summer marks three years since the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) launched its free online forum, designed to support, inform, and uplift members of the multiple sclerosis community. The organization encourages all affected by MS to make use of this resource. Called My MSAA Community, the platform…

The developer of an innovative, first-in-class, noninvasive device for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions has won the 2019 CCI France International Trophy for Innovation. PathMaker Neurosystems was selected from a list of eight finalist companies, which were distinguished among 150 nominees…