Contact: Arney Rosenblat
212 476-0436/ arney.rosenblat@nmss.org
Contact: Carolyn Cronin
781-487-0012/ carolyn@acceleratedcure.org
Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis and Fast Forward, LLC Announce Collaboration to Speed Development of Treatments for MS
Nonprofits agree to work together to expand research infrastructure and encourage greater collaboration and data sharing in the MS research community
New York, NY and Waltham, MA, September 30, 2009 - The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, a national nonprofit organization, and Fast Forward, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, today announced a collaboration to support the Accelerated Cure Project’s Tissue Repository program.
The Accelerated Cure Project has created a large-scale collection of biological samples and data from people with MS, selected other demyelinating diseases, and unaffected controls. These samples and data are available to academic and industry researchers engaged in a variety of activities including studying the causes of MS; evaluating the genetic components of MS; and developing diagnostic tests and related tools for monitoring MS disease activity. A distinct aspect of this resource is its creation of a database to house the scientific/clinical data generated by studies which use samples from the repository.
The collaboration with the Accelerated Cure Project is a part of Fast Forward’s long-term strategy of facilitating creation of resources that can be used by emerging biotechnology companies. “We are pleased to partner with the Accelerated Cure Project to advance the development of new treatments for MS,” said Dr. Timothy Coetzee, President of Fast Forward. “There is an increased demand for high quality samples that companies can use to discern and validate biomarkers which will help develop and corroborate diagnostic and prognostic tests for MS.” Adds Dr. Coetzee, “The Accelerated Cure Project’s collection is a vital resource for this critical research.”
“Fast Forward’s support provides important validation for continued development and expansion of the tissue repository” said Ms. Carolyn Cronin, President and CEO of the Accelerated Cure Project. “Building on the work of our founder, Art Mellor, we are pleased to form this collaboration with Fast Forward to accelerate the pace of MS research.”
About the Accelerated Cure Project
The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, www.acceleratedcure.org, is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to curing Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by determining its causes. Accelerated Cure Project believes this effort can be accelerated by organizing the research process and encouraging collaboration between research organizations and clinicians.
For more information about the Accelerated Cure Project or to make a corporate or individual donation, call 781/487-0012, visit www.acceleratedcure.org, or send an email to info-web0209@acceleratedcure.org.
About Fast Forward, LLC
Fast Forward, LLC is a nonprofit organization established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in order to accelerate the development of treatments for MS. Fast Forward will accomplish its mission by connecting university-based MS research with private-sector drug development and by funding small biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative new MS therapies and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as new treatments for MS. For more information visit: www.fastforward.org
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS is a chronic, unpredictable neurological disease that affects the central nervous system. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, meaning the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. These problems may be permanent or may come and go. The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. For more information about MS, the Society or to join the MS movement visit: www.nationalMSsociety.org
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that more than 2 million people have MS worldwide. While symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most common. The cause is not known and there is no known cure.
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