The Myelin
Repair Foundation (MRF) today announced the achievement of a myelin
repair Phase 1 clinical trial for multiple sclerosis earlier than the
foundation's goal set for 2014. By establishing its Accelerated
Research Collaboration (ARC) Model to advance myelin repair
treatments forward into clinical trial Phase 1 within a decade, the
Myelin Repair Foundation achieved this critical milestone ahead of its
goal, validating the efficiency of the ARC model to speed drug
development.
This Phase 1 clinical trial conducted at Cleveland Clinic will examine
the efficacy of a new myelin repair therapeutic pathway with mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs), based on MRF supported research conducted by MRF
Principal Investigator Dr. Robert Miller, Professor of Neurosciences and
Vice President for Research & Technology Management at Case Western
Reserve University. To date, half of the 24 patients planned for this
initial trial have been enrolled.
"Scientists hope that one day their research will reach clinical trials,
and I'm thrilled to achieve this milestone in my career," said Dr.
Robert Miller. "Without the support of Myelin Repair Foundation funding
a critical component of our research that is the basis of this trial,
this achievement would not have been possible. Our partnership with the
Myelin Repair Foundation has helped identify new pathways to treat
disease that reverses damage, ultimately accomplishing so much more than
the suppression of MS symptoms."
Funded by the Myelin Repair Foundation, Dr. Miller's team of scientists
identified an innovative clinical pathway through mesenchymal stem cell
signals that not only protect myelin, which is damaged by the autoimmune
reaction in MS, but also facilitates myelin repair. Current MS drugs on
the market only focus on the suppression of the immune system to protect
myelin from future damage; patients have no treatment options available
to repair myelin once damage occurs in MS.
"Our goal to support research that would enter Phase 1 trials within a
decade was deemed nearly impossible," said Scott Johnson, president and
CEO of the Myelin Repair Foundation. "To think we achieved this
ambitious goal even earlier than we planned illustrates the
effectiveness of our innovative research model that accelerates
promising scientific discoveries into clinical trials. Even with this
success, we refuse to rest on our laurels and will continue to progress
myelin research into multiple clinical trials. We remain focused on our
singular goal: To speed the development of an effective myelin repair
treatment to reach patients with multiple sclerosis."