The International Progressive MS Alliance

The International Progressive MS Alliance is an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organizations, researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and people with progressive MS, transforming the landscape of multiple sclerosis.

The Alliance was initially established in 2012 as the International Progressive MS Collaborative, with six founding members (the MS societies of Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA, and the MS International Federation). These organisations made a joint commitment to speed up the development of treatment for progressive MS by removing scientific and technology barriers. In 2013, the Alliance formalised its purpose, structure, membership and its four strategic objectives:

Raise profile and accelerate progress

We will raise the profile of and make progressive MS a global research priority by attracting the best minds in MS research, enabling collaboration and knowledge-sharing, and speeding up the testing, proving and regulatory approval of potential treatments to end progressive MS.

Secure resources and globalize research funding

By 2019, we will raise €22+ million and leverage talent and in-kind resources to support progressive MS research. We will increase worldwide funding capacity through international cooperation in fundraising and securing the necessary resources to drive large-scale, global MS research initiatives.

Inspire, galvanize and engage

We will stimulate awareness, engagement and active support to raise the profile and influence progress among priority stakeholders in the global MS community to end progressive MS.

Deliver operational excellence

Building on existing research, programs and progress, we will align MS organisations and international human, business and financial infrastructure, processes and resources. We will achieve operational excellence that engenders trust and confidence through outcome-driven scientific management, financial transparency, project management and multi-country organizational collaboration.

FUELING NECESSARY RESEARCH TO SPEED UP TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT

Two pioneering research programs are being funded through the Alliance:

Challenge awards: Innovative research to improve understanding of genetic and biologic processes involved in progressive MS, improving clinical trials, and repurposing existing drugs.

Collaborative network awards: Long-term, first-of-its kind multi-national projects stimulating research into the biggest questions facing MS scientists, like speeding up new treatments and the development of new trials.

For more info, visit: https://www.progressivemsalliance.org/