ATX-MS-1467 is designed to work by dampening down the immune response, which mis-fires in MS and causes damage in the brain and spinal cord. The therapy is designed to selectively inhibit the immune system's harmful attack on the body while preserving the normal immune response against harmful processes, such as infections.

Only six people with secondary progressive MS took part in the trial, which was mainly targeted at determining if the treatment was safe for people to take. There was also preliminary evidence that suggested there may be some positive immune changes in four of the people in the trial. The next step is to move onto further trials to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. These trials will begin at the end of this year.

Dr Laura Bell, Research Communications Officer for the MS Society said: ‘Finding more effective treatments for people with MS is an important goal for MS research and we are encouraged that studies are tackling this area. This study is in the early stages and we look forward to the results of the phase II clinical trials which are about to start.’