Register now! The global webcast on developing treatments to end MS progression

Join leading MS experts in a discussion about recent advances in developing new treatments for progressive MS and research discoveries that could ultimately end MS progression.

Register now

Wednesday, 22 March at 11:00 am EST,  3:00 pm GMT, 4:00 pm CET

New, life-changing treatments are urgently needed for people with progressive MS. Hear from leading MS experts about the current state of treatments for progressive MS, active clinical trials that may provide new solutions, and research efforts to develop breakthrough treatments to ultimately end MS progression.

Expert panelists will include Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, Professor of Neurology in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in the US and a leader in a large number of MS clinical trials; Dr. Jiwon Oh, staff neurologist, scientist, and Medical Director of the Barlo Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Canada; Dr. Emma Gray, Assistant Director of Research at the MS Society, UK, and leader of the strategic development of the MS Society’s broad research programme including the ground-breaking OCTOPUS clinical trial platform.  The webcast will be hosted by Marie Vaillant, an international leader in the MS movement from Canada, a member of the International Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee, and a person living with progressive MS.

About the Panelists

Dr. Jiwon Oh is a staff neurologist, scientist, and Medical Director of the Barlo Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto and specializes in the care of people living with MS. Dr. Oh’s research focuses on developing advanced MRI techniques in the spinal cord and brain for use in clinical settings. She leads the MRI research program at St. Michael’s Hospital and is the principal investigator on numerous multi-center collaborative studies, including the Canadian Prospective Cohort Study to Understand Progression in MS, which is a study designed to better understand progression in MS.

Dr. Jeffrey Cohen is Professor of Neurology in the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and holds the Hazel Prior Hostetler Endowed Chair.  Dr. Cohen has worked at the Mellen MS Center at the Cleveland Clinic since 1994 and was Director 2014-2017.  He currently is Director of the Experimental Therapeutics Program and the Clinical Neuroimmunology Fellowship. Dr. Cohen has published extensively on clinical, immunologic, imaging, and therapeutic aspects of MS.  He has had a leadership role in a large number of clinical trials of potential therapies for MS, translational studies, studies to validate outcome measures, and observational studies.

Emma Gray, PhD is Assistant Director of Research at the MS Society, UK. She leads the strategic development of the MS Society’s broad research programme including the UK MS Register, MS Society Tissue Bank, translational Centres of Excellence and a novel and evolving innovative clinical trials programme, including the ground-breaking OCTOPUS trial platform. She also has responsibility for the Patient Public Involvement and research communications programmes. Before joining the MS Society in 2012, she gained a PhD in molecular neuroscience and worked as a post-doctoral researcher at King’s College London with a focus on molecular and cellular processes associated with neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.

Marie Vaillant is an international leader in the MS movement from Ottawa, Canada. She has served in a number of voluntary leadership roles at the MS Society of Canada and also served as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the MS International Federation (MSIF). Additionally, she served as the Chair of the People with MS Advisory Committee at MSIF. Currently, Marie serves on the Scientific Steering Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance, providing the perspective of someone living with MS to ensure focus on the where the greatest impact can be achieved.

The International Progressive MS Alliance is a first-of-its-kind global research network aimed at accelerating the development of new, effective treatments for progressive MS. We are rallying the world through an unprecedented collaboration of MS organizations, researchers, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, trusts, foundations, donors and people affected by MS. Our promise is more than hope; it is progress.

Catch-up on previous Alliance webcasts below

Click the settings toggle in the bottom right corner to watch the video with English, Spanish, Arabic or French subtitles.

Pain in progressive MS: advancing treatment and research

Pain can be one of the most difficult ‘invisible’ symptoms to describe and manage.  Up to two-thirds of people with MS report pain in worldwide studies. Those who experience pain may find it affects their daily life activities, such as work, recreation, mood and enjoyment of life.

Learn about the latest advances in treatment and research on the topic of pain during this 30-minute global webcast.  An international panel of MS experts answered questions submitted by people affected by MS throughout the world.  From ways to manage or reduce pain, to research seeking its cause, and developing new treatments, this webcast provides information to help improve quality of life and keep you informed.

Solving the mystery of progression: the key to new treatments for progressive MS

Understanding what leads to progression is key to developing breakthrough treatments for people with progressive MS.  Learn about 18 innovative research projects funded by the International Progressive MS Alliance focused on unraveling the mystery of progression and identifying new targets for treatments, that will ultimately slow or stop progression.  A panel of international MS experts will share findings and insights that not only inspire hope but demonstrate real progress in ending progressive MS.

Ending progressive MS

Professors Robert Fox and Ruth Ann Marrie, International Progressive MS Alliance researchers and neurologists, will share what we are learning about progressive MS and the launch of important, new research initiatives that will fuel the development of breakthrough treatments for progressive MS.  Don’t miss this 30-minute webcast.

There is an urgent need for new, effective treatments for people with progressive MS. Learn how the Progressive MS Alliance is driving three research priorities to meet that urgent need:

• Understand, prevent and reverse progression
• Speed up and improve clinical trials
• Improve well-being through proven therapeutic approaches

Answering questions on fatigue in progressive MS

Find out more about the panellists here.

Answering questions on progressive MS treatment and research

Find out more about the panellists here.

Accelerating Breakthough Treatments in Progressive MS

Find out more about the panellists here.

How a blood test and the use of artificial intelligence in MRIs could be game-changers

Find out more about the panellists here.