Overview of the conference
MS Frontiers 2007 was the largest MS society conference for professionals yet, providing collaboration between the MS Societies of the UK, US, Australia and Canada and bringing together experts from across the world to speak on MS Research. This year there were over 350 delegates and 35 renowned speakers, providing the opportunity for researchers and healthcare professionals within the Multiple Sclerosis field to present their latest work, share ideas and identify key challenges for the future.
A range of topics were discussed including childhood MS, potential therapies, management of people with MS as well as research into the genetic, environmental and immunological aspects of MS.
Subsequent to the educational trip to India organised by the UK’s Multiple Sclerosis Society in conjunction with the MS Society India, Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology at the KS Hegde Medical Academy, Derlakatte, India also introduced a session about MS in India and the issues facing the country.
Breakout sessions allowed the delegates to branch off into their preferred specialities, with one session covering rehabilitation, exercise and quality of life for people with MS, while the other detailed current research into models of MS including humanised mice and Professor Robin Franklin’s work on stem cells, precursors and myelin repair at the Centre for Myelin Repair in Cambridge.
The conference next turned its attention to the Pharmaceutical research and development priorities, with a panel of representatives from companies such a Biogen, GSK, Schering and Genzyme answering questions about their short and long term goals and how they felt partnerships between industry and academia could be improved to provide better products and services for people with MS. They commented on their current clinical trials and were asked about their plans for novel therapeutics for progressive MS.
The conference was a huge achievement, encouraging communication, cooperation and collaboration throughout the many disciplines involved in MS research. The conference provided a forum for the best minds in the field to come together to relay information and promote understanding in order to move us closer to discovery of potential treatments for people with MS. Interviews with the scientists and a full conference breakdown are available on the MS Society website.
Subsequent to the educational trip to India organised by the UK’s Multiple Sclerosis Society in conjunction with the MS Society India, Lekha Pandit, Professor of Neurology at the KS Hegde Medical Academy, Derlakatte, India also introduced a session about MS in India and the issues facing the country.
Breakout sessions allowed the delegates to branch off into their preferred specialities, with one session covering rehabilitation, exercise and quality of life for people with MS, while the other detailed current research into models of MS including humanised mice and Professor Robin Franklin’s work on stem cells, precursors and myelin repair at the Centre for Myelin Repair in Cambridge.
The conference next turned its attention to the Pharmaceutical research and development priorities, with a panel of representatives from companies such a Biogen, GSK, Schering and Genzyme answering questions about their short and long term goals and how they felt partnerships between industry and academia could be improved to provide better products and services for people with MS. They commented on their current clinical trials and were asked about their plans for novel therapeutics for progressive MS.
The conference was a huge achievement, encouraging communication, cooperation and collaboration throughout the many disciplines involved in MS research. The conference provided a forum for the best minds in the field to come together to relay information and promote understanding in order to move us closer to discovery of potential treatments for people with MS. Interviews with the scientists and a full conference breakdown are available on the MS Society website.
