About Our Work

Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex and chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord, is responsible for coordinating a vast array of bodily functions. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that surrounds nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

The impact of MS is substantial on a global scale. It is estimated that over 2 million individuals worldwide are currently living with MS, and this number continues to rise. This highlights the urgent need for more effective treatments and a deeper understanding of the disease.

The Challenge of Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PMS)

While there are various forms of MS, a significant concern is the progression of the disease. A considerable proportion of people initially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS will eventually transition to a more advanced stage known as secondary progressive MS (SPMS). This transition typically occurs within 25 to 30 years following the initial MS diagnosis.

Progressive MS, particularly SPMS, presents major therapeutic challenges. In this phase, there is a characteristic irreversible accumulation of disability, meaning the impairments worsen steadily over time. While many current MS treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce relapses in earlier stages of the disease, they often prove inadequate in halting or reversing the progression of disability in SPMS. This lack of effective treatments underscores the critical need for innovative therapeutic strategies.

RESTORE Project: A New Hope for Progressive MS

The RESTORE and prospective CLOSER projects represent a promising avenue for addressing the unmet needs of individuals with progressive MS. These projects are centered on the development and application of advanced cell therapies (ACTs), with a specific focus on neural stem cells (NSCs).

Neural Stem Cells and Their Potential: Neural stem cells possess unique properties that make them attractive candidates for treating neurological conditions like MS. They offer the potential to modulate the immune system, which plays a key role in the damaging inflammatory processes in MS. Furthermore, NSCs may also contribute to the restoration or regeneration of the nervous system, potentially repairing the damage caused by MS and promoting functional recovery. This dual action of immune modulation and neurorestoration offers a new hope for slowing down or even stopping the progression of MS.
RESTORE: Laying the Groundwork for Innovation: The RESTORE initiative is a 15-month Development Award project. Its primary objective is to carefully design and prepare for the subsequent CLOSER clinical trial. This involves a range of crucial activities, including refining the trial design, engaging clinical study collaborators, establishing an advisory board, incorporating patient and public input, addressing ethical considerations, and ensuring effective project management and communication.
CLOSER: Evaluating Neural Stem Cell Therapy: The CLOSER trial is the anticipated follow-up to RESTORE. It is planned as a Phase IIb Experimental Medicine human Trial (EMhT) that will evaluate the potential of human allogeneic NSC grafts in patients with non-active SPMS. This trial aims to rigorously assess whether NSC transplantation can serve as a neuroprotective and neurorestorative strategy, potentially leading to significant improvements in outcomes for people with progressive MS.

The RESTORE and CLOSER projects are important research endeavors focused on translating scientific advancements in stem cell biology into novel therapeutic interventions for progressive MS, a condition with a high unmet medical need.