The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) has entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assess MRF-008, as a potential therapeutic for multiple sclerosis (MS). This CRADA will facilitate collaboration between the MRF and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the NIH Clinical Centre to study MRF-008, a drug identified by the MRF as a potential neuroprotective therapeutic to enhance repair in multiple sclerosis patients.

Through its Accelerated Research Collaboration (ARC) model, a collaborative research model designed to accelerate promising therapeutics to market, the Myelin Repair Foundation will work closely with the NIH to assess MRF-008 as a therapeutic candidate in an MS clinical trial. MRF-008 is a generic FDA-approved compound for the treatment of hypertension identified by the Myelin Repair Foundation’s academic research consortium as a novel drug repurposing candidate for neuroprotection to stimulate MS repair. Dr Irene Cortese, MD and Dr Daniel Reich, MD, Ph.D. will lead the research study at the NIH.

“As a non-profit organization beholden to patients, not profits, we are uniquely positioned to advance MRF-008, a generic drug identified by the MRF academic consortium, forward as a novel therapeutic candidate to stimulate repair for multiple sclerosis,” said Scott Johnson, CEO, president and founder of the Myelin Repair Foundation. “With the NIH’s eminent expertise in MS clinical trials, we have found an exemplary partner to conduct the research necessary to assess MRF-008. With world-class advisors, academic scientists, industry partners and this opportunity to collaborate with NIH scientists, we remain on track to develop and deliver the next generation of MS therapeutics for patients.”

The Myelin Repair Foundation’s ARC model leverages its nonprofit status to advance promising compounds to the clinic, and ultimately to patients. Promising scientific discoveries from the MRF academic research consortium are accelerated into clinical development through the ARC model. The Myelin Repair Foundation’s goal-oriented, collaborative approach is designed to facilitate partnerships between top academic scientists, pharmaceutical partners, the NIH and other key players throughout the entire therapeutics development continuum to speed effective treatments to patients.

The Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) is a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit research organization accelerating the development of therapeutics that repair myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerves that is damaged in people with multiple sclerosis.