The MSIF, which was founded in 1967, funded the work of the SLC from its beginning in 2001 through 2005, with a view to the Centre eventually becoming self funding. Now on a project-based funding relationship, therefore, the new MSIF/SLC contract, which runs to the end of 2006, will provide the Centre with an immediate payment of 250,000 euros to fund specific projects. An additional 40,000 euros will be paid each quarter to enable the Centre both to maintain and allow access to the database, with an additional maximum of 90,000 euros during the remainder of the year to fund the licensing of agreed individual research projects.

The database contains anonymized details of virtually every MS patient worldwide who has participated in the placebo arms of major clinical trials over the last 20 years as well as from numerous academic and other studies. Additional data is regularly added as it becomes available.

The Centre will continue to provide an `open’ set of data that researchers throughout the world can use, and a `closed’ set for its own personnel to use to validate scientific findings related to a specific hypothesis.

The two specific projects funded by MSIF are a continuation of the systematic comparison and improvement of existing models of various aspects of the course of MS, and the investigation of the additional predictive value of MRI outcomes into the course of the disease.

Sarah Phillips, Chair of MSIF, said: “I am delighted that we have concluded this contract with the centre which should enable the whole scientific community to drive forward research into treatments for MS that will benefit patients and their families worldwide.”

Dr Martin Daumer, Director of the Sylvia Lawry Centre, said: “We are very pleased to have the continuing support of the MSIF throughout this year as we continue our investigations into MS and continue providing access to our unique database to other researchers.”

June 2006