New global clinical and imaging data resource to accelerate research into progressive MS

The International Progressive MS Alliance has launched its MS Clinical and Imaging Data Resource (CIDR), a groundbreaking tool that gives scientists access to anonymised and harmonised MRI scans and clinical data from thousands of people with MS who participated in clinical trials.

CIDR was developed in partnership with McGill University in Canada and four industry partners—Biogen, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi — to help the MS research community accelerate the understanding of MS progression and speed up clinical trials aimed at finding solutions for progressive MS.

The resource has an estimated total value of more than €685 million and is compiled from anonymised data collected through pharmaceutical industry clinical trials. The resource includes approximately 72,000 MRI scans, as well as data from 200,000 clinical visits from more than 13,500 people with MS.

Using AI to predict MS progression

The resource was developed as a result of the International Progressive MS Alliance’s MRI Imaging Biomarker International Collaborative Research Network, led by Prof. Douglas Arnold at McGill University. The team was supported to consolidate clinical and MRI database, enabling the development of algorithms that can predict how MS will progress and how patients might respond to treatment.

Their research is based on the idea that computing tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) can detect signs of MS progression earlier than clinicians can. By using these tools, the researchers aim to predict whether treatments can slow brain damage resulting from MS, addressing a major barrier in current treatment development.

More than hope

Today, most MS treatments are approved for only relapsing forms of MS, leaving treatments for progressive MS a significant unmet need. The CIDR was created to advance the Alliance’s mission to accelerate studies aiming to uncover the mechanisms driving progression and speed the development of treatments for progressive MS.

For people like Tarrbinder in Malaysia, who lives with progressive MS, the new Clinical and Imaging Data Resource offers more than just hope, it is an important step toward change.

            A portrait of Dr Tarrbinder Singh at his home, Malaysia

‘I just need people to know that there are people like me. And I need pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs that can ease our conditions and restore back what we have lost in our system. Now I only take drugs to manage my symptoms…I’m sure in the future there are going to be newer drugs that have a very bright outcome.’ – Tarrbinder, Malaysia

Faster clinical trials

The data available within the resource was collected using diverse methods and donated by four pharmaceutical companies. All data have been harmonised, making it easier to analyse using state-of-the-art tools such as AI and machine learning, to find patterns that humans may not have seen or considered.

‘There are currently no fully validated biomarkers to predict disease progression in progressive MS. This is a hurdle because large phase III trials might cost up to hundreds of millions of dollars each, so if they don’t work, it’s a big loss for the company and society’ Prof. Douglas Arnold said.

‘AI tools, however, can help us find clues that are predictive of success, meaning investigators could conduct smaller trials enriched with patients who are more likely to respond to a treatment,’ He added. “Then, enrollment could expand to general patients, and we can see how well the treatment holds up.’

‘Ideally, the new AI-based tools and other statistical methods should optimize trials, so they’ll be shorter, more efficient and hopefully more successful.’

A global effort

This is an important milestone for the progressive MS community around the world and demonstrates the power of global collaboration. Dr. Lydia Makaroff, Chief Executive Officer of the MS International Federation, said:

‘MSIF is proud to be a founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance. For the first time, researchers can look at MRI scans and clinical data from thousands of people worldwide, all brought together in one place. For those living with MS this is a step toward answers, new therapies, and a better quality of life.’

Collaboration speeds progress

Dr. Robert Fox, Chair of the Alliance’s Scientific Steering Committee and MS neurologist at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic, highlighted the importance of collaboration:

‘This unique resource underscores the power of the Alliance and its role in bringing together industry and academia around the world to contribute to and offer this valuable tool’

‘Most importantly, we are grateful for the thousands of people with MS who participated in these trials so that we can have this data to offer to those working to solve progressive MS.’

The pharmaceutical companies involved were critically important in their willingness to contribute to this resource. They plan to continue contributing new data over time. The Alliance will continue to engage additional partners to add data to further increase the size and breadth of the data resource.

Apply to access the data

MS researchers are invited to apply for access to the data. To access the data, applicants will need to submit an application describing their proposed work, which is required to be focused on understanding MS progression.

The Alliance has convened a review committee, including a person living with progressive MS, to evaluate all applications and ensure proposals support research that is beneficial to the progressive MS community.

Applications to access the data will be open to researchers in Autumn 2025.

About the International Progressive MS Alliance

The Alliance exists to accelerate the development of effective treatments for people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis to improve quality of life worldwide. It is an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organizations, researchers, health professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, companies, trusts, foundations, donors, and people affected by progressive MS, working together to address the unmet needs of people with progressive MS ─ rallying the global community to find solutions. Learn more at www.progressivemsalliance.org