Reflecting on our 2025 research highlights

New results from clinical trials 

We’ve seen exciting results from clinical trials, which are a key step in developing new treatments for people with MS. 

In September, Dr Nick Cunniffe shared early results from our CCMR2 trial. These suggest that a combination of two existing drugs may be able to boost myelin repair in relapsing MS. 

And the pharma-funded ORATORIO-HAND results showed that ocrelizumab can slow overall disability progression and the worsening of hand and arm function in more people with primary progressive MS, including those with more advanced MS. 

We’ve also seen progress in trial recruitment. The Chariot-MS trial, which we're helping to fund, has now completed recruitment, with results expected in 2027. And our innovative Octopus trial has recruited over 650 people with progressive MS. And 3 people have joined as part of Platypus, the Australian extension of the Octopus trial. 

Testing ways to manage MS symptoms

Fatigue is one of the most common invisible symptoms of MS. But less than a third of people have been offered treatments for this symptom as part of their routine care.

We’re co-funding RefuelMS, a trial testing an app to treat MS fatigue. The team began recruiting people to the trial earlier this year, and have hit almost 80% of their target already! 

Ayad was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 2019 at the age of 21. He’s part of the RefuelMS Patient Advisory Group – a team of people with MS who have helped to shape the development of the app. Ayad said:

“Being involved in research is a chance to contribute towards improving the lives of people with MS. Any input I can have on that journey, I’ll take it. With something like this, it feels like only good things can come of it—and if nothing does, you’ve still not lost anything. You can sleep easy knowing you did what you could.”

Understanding more about the biology of MS 

In November, researchers at our Cambridge Centre of Excellence published research showing the discovery of an unusual type of brain cell. These cells seem to actively fuel ongoing inflammation and nerve damage in MS. And could be a new target for progressive MS treatments. 

Researchers at our Centres of Excellence in Edinburgh and Cambridge also found new ways to boost myelin repair in mice. In Cambridge, scientists found that transplanted neural stem cells can repair myelin in mice. And an international team based in Canada and Edinburgh found that blocking a signal released by a cell called monocytes could boost myelin repair. 

This research is still in its very early stages. But together, this lab-based research is a vital part of the research pipeline, improving our understanding of the biology of MS and identifying potential new targets for treatments. 

New data from the UK MS Register 

We’ve funded the UK MS Register since its launch in 2011. The Register combines information from people about their MS, with clinical and NHS data – giving us an accurate picture of life with MS in the UK. 

This year, the Register hit 50,000 participants – representing a third of people living with MS in the UK. And data from the Register was used across a variety of research projects. 

Register data was used to identify a subgroup of people with MS who experience cognitive difficulties without significant physical symptoms. Up to 70% of people with MS experience cognitive problems. But they can often go unrecognised in routine care. These findings could help clinicians provide more personalised care and targeted support for people affected.

And research using Register data was presented at the ECTRIMS conference in September. 

Dr Owain Howell combined data from the Register and our Tissue Bank. He identified that people who go on to have rapidly worsening MS have more lesions in the outer layer of the brain. And higher numbers of ‘active’ lesions – areas of inflammation. Data like this could be used to identify people who are at risk of faster progression. And tailor the treatment and support they receive. 

And Imogen Collier shared work highlighting the impact of menopause for people with MS on symptoms like fatigue, cognition and bladder problems. This was awarded one of the best posters at the conference. 

Supporting MS researchers across the UK  

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to support 14 new research projects through our 2025 grant rounds. This £1.75 million funding will allow researchers to focus on a range of topics relating to MS, from identifying potential new treatments to finding better ways to detect MS progression. 

For example, we helped establish the Northern Ireland MS Research Hub. This funding will give us a better understanding of the changes that happen in the eye in MS, so we can better track MS progression. And Dr Alison Thomson is leading a new project to understand how people living with MS and their close relatives feel about research into risk and prevention. This takes forward the work of our MS Prevention Taskforce. 

We also hosted a retreat for early career researchers (ECRs). This gave PhD students and post-doctoral researchers the opportunity to meet fellow ECRs, gain peer-to-peer advice and learn practical skills. This will support them to develop a successful career in MS research. 

Setting our research priorities for the next five years 

Despite the progress we’ve made, it can take a long time to feel the impact of research findings like these on everyday life. Which is why we'll continue to fund research that addresses the key issues facing people with MS. 

Our new research strategy will run from 2025 to 2029. This sets out what we believe we can achieve in the next five years, while driving towards our long-term vision of a world free from MS. 

Our strategy focuses on three priorities that reflect what matters most to people living with MS:

1. Manage the impact of MS holistically to improve quality of life
2. Find new treatments to stop MS getting worse for everyone
3. Drive towards preventing MS in future generations

We also launched our Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research action plan. This sets out how we’ll improve diversity and inclusion in our research programme, to make sure it works for everyone with MS. 

If you’re interested in getting involved in research like this in 2026, visit our Be in a Study page to find out about current research opportunities. Or join our Research Network to help influence and shape our research, in 2026 and beyond.