News

ECTRIMS 2025: A ‘new era’ for diagnosis and treatment

The 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), the world’s largest congress dedicated to multiple sclerosis (MS) research and care, kicks off today in Barcelona. About 9,000 scientists, clinicians, industry leaders, and patient advocates from more than 100 countries are expected…

In MS, less frequent treatment dosing schedule is equally effective

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may receive less frequent treatments with anti-CD20 therapies without increasing their risk of disease activity or disability progression. That’s according to a new meta-analysis of published studies that investigated the use of different dosing schedules for anti-CD20 therapies — approved treatments that deplete the…

New McDonald criteria aim for faster MS diagnosis, treatment

Doctors will be able to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) faster and with greater accuracy — allowing patients to access treatment and support earlier — following an update to the McDonald criteria, the official guidelines used to diagnose the condition. The revision reflects advances in understanding the biology of…

Researchers gain funds to advance a new type of treatment for MS

An international research team has secured nearly $800,000 (about CA$1.1 million) to advance a potential regenerative therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) toward clinical testing. While existing treatments can slow disease progression, none can repair the nerve damage that has already occurred. This new project aims to change that by…

New patent covers progressive MS drug for patients in US

Immunic Therapeutics will receive a new U.S. patent covering its experimental therapy, vidofludimus calcium, and some related molecules in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Titled “Treatment of multiple sclerosis comprising DHODH inhibitors,” the patent explicitly covers the use of the molecules in progressive types of MS, including primary…

New partnership bringing MS biosimilar drug to MENA region

Three biosimilar drugs — approved versions of brand-name therapies that have no clinically meaningful differences compared with their reference products — including one for multiple sclerosis (MS), will soon be available in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region under a new partnership between two pharmaceutical companies.

Study finds most children with MS have slow-growing brain lesions

Most children with multiple sclerosis (MS) have chronic active lesions that slowly get bigger over time, and their frequency seems to correlate with the total number of lesions and reduced brain growth, according to a research letter. Changes in disability or cognitive scores over time, however, weren’t significantly associated…

FDA prioritizes Hope’s stem cell treatment with RMAT designation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted regenerative medicine advanced therapy (RMAT) designation to Hope Biosciences‘ adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HB-adMSCs) to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). RMAT status is given to therapies with compelling proof that they may substantially improve patient outcomes compared with existing…

Most MS neurologists in the US have received pharma payments

In the U.S., nearly 4 out of 5 neurologists prescribing therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) have received payments from pharmaceutical companies that market MS treatments, according to a new analysis. The findings indicate that neurologists who receive payments from a company are significantly more likely to prescribe that…

Health Canada warns of severe allergy risk with some MS products

Health Canada is warning that glatiramer acetate products, used in the country to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), may cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. The warning follows 11 reported cases of anaphylactic reactions linked to Copaxone — the original brand name of glatiramer…

Study finds potential strategy for myelin repair in MS

Targeting a protein called SOX6 could be an effective way to promote myelin repair in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. Researchers said the results point to a way for new therapies to treat the condition. The study found SOX6 could control the maturation of oligodendrocytes, the…

Tolebrutinib gets UAE OK for progressive MS, a world 1st

The United Arab Emirates became the first country to approve tolebrutinib, clearing it to treat adults with nonrelapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Sanofi’s oral BTK inhibitor is also the first approved therapy that directly addresses the chronic inflammation that contributes to disability progression independent of relapses. “The…

New database aims to accelerate research into progressive MS

The International Progressive MS Alliance has introduced the MS Clinical and Imaging Data Resource, or CIDR, to accelerate the search for effective treatments for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) where options are limited. The resource was built in partnership with McGill University in Canada, as well as…

Ketogenic diet shows promise for MS, but more research needed

A ketogenic diet — which involves eating a very low amount of carbohydrates and replacing them with fat — may help ease fatigue, improve neurological function, and boost life quality in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new analysis. Researchers stressed that available data on the effects…

Vitamin D has small but significant benefits for MS patients: Study

High doses of vitamin D provide clinically modest but statistically significant benefits for adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a meta-analysis of published clinical trials. The study found patients who took the supplement saw reductions in disability scores, relapses, and new lesion formation. Those who took vitamin D for…