More than 2 million people around the world live with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic and often debilitating disease. A cure has not yet been discovered, and only six FDA-approved drugs exist to treat the disease today. For some, these drugs may slow the progression of the disease, but for many, they do nothing at all.
Fast Forward, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, was established to speed treatments to people with MS, through an innovative approach:
- Accelerating commercial development of innovative MS research
- Funding MS drug discovery in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
- Ensuring a global perspective in identifying funding opportunities
NEWS UPDATE:
FAST FORWARD HIGHLIGHTS
Because of your generous help and support, Fast Forward was able to dramatically advance its goal of speeding the development of new treatments to benefit people living with MS despite a year tinged with some of the most severe financial challenges since the Great Depression.
The following are just some of the achievements attained by Fast Forward in 2009 that your efforts have made possible.
This year we:
- Funded next steps in the development of three innovative therapies for people with MS
- ATX-MS-1467 - A novel vaccine being developed by Apitope International that aims to reprogram the immune system in people with MS
- PV-267 - A promising compound discovered by Provid Pharmaceuticals that disrupts abnormal immune responses associated with MS
- AMP-110 - A proprietary biological molecule designed by Amplimmune, Inc to target and prevent immune system dysfunction in MS
- Forged a 5-year $19 million strategic alliance with Merck KGaA to fund innovative researchers and companies engaged in cutting-edge MS drug development
- Partnered with the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis to expand the research infrastructure and encourage greater collaboration and data sharing in the MS research community
- Convened a ground-breaking think tank which brought together international leaders in MS research from academia and industry to tackle critical issues related to genetics, biomarkers and the future of personalized medicine in MS
As we move into the new year you can expect us to:
- Fund at least 10 new drug discovery and development programs
- Spearhead communication and creative action between academic and industry stakeholders on critical issues related to primary and secondary progressive MS as well as biomarker development and validation
- Launch a comprehensive fundraising campaign focused on private philanthropy and strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical companies
The need for effective commercially available treatments for people with MS has never been greater and Fast Forward is focused on turning that promise into reality as quickly as possible. Together we can continue to break down barriers, accelerate drug development, and move closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis now.
All of us at Fast Forward thank you for your continued support and wish you all the best for 2010.
Sincerely,
Timothy Coetzee, PhD
President
Fast Forward, LLC
Read more about Fast Forward from President Tim Coetzee.
Fast Forward Brochure (PDF - for easier print/read)