Research In Focus

1 September 2024

MSWA is proud to announce a commitment of $5.6m to neurological research in the 2024/2025 financial year.

This includes our ongoing investment as the leading funder of the groundbreaking PLATYPUS clinical trial.

This world-leading clinical trial will seek to reverse neurological damage caused by progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) in Australians living with the debilitating condition.

The flexible nature of the multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) adaptive design will allow researchers to investigate the potential benefits of several existing medications simultaneously. This means unpromising treatment arms can be dropped and new treatments added, producing results much faster than traditional clinical trial methods.

CEO Melanie Kiely said MSWA, which is contributing $3m to the trial over three years, was proud to fund the ambitious research project which will transform the way we test treatments for PMS.

“PLATYPUS has the potential to deliver a significant breakthrough, as we aim to provide real-life outcomes which positively impact the lives of people living with PMS – which is always our focus,” she said.

“By testing two repurposed drugs, we hope to find a treatment which can be quick to market for the people we support.”

Our new commitment matches the $5.6m allocated to research in FY23/24. This investment would not be possible without the support of West Australians, or our fundraising initiatives and lotteries.

MSWA believes that local, national, and international research provides hope for people living with a neurological condition and will improve the lives of our Clients and community.

In recent years, thanks to our investment into research, our understanding of MS and neurological conditions has improved.

“I am delighted to continue our funding of neurological research including WA research projects which we believe will lead to finding the cause, better treatments, and hopefully one day a cure for many neurological conditions,” said MSWA CEO Melanie Kiely.

“We truly can’t thank our supporters enough for continuing to trust us to support people with neurological conditions, and fund vital research not only here in Western Australia but nationally and internationally too.”

For more information about MSWA’s commitment to research and research projects we are currently funding please see MSWA Funded Projects.

Information for researchers

MSWA forges strong partnerships with a range of research institutions. We are proud to provide significant funding annually to research activity in areas where researchers will have maximum impact on improving the lives of people with MS and other neurological conditions. All MSWA research grants will run through the MS Australia peer review process according to the MSWA research criteria. To apply for MSWA funding please see MS Australia’s For Researchers.

Our research partners

MS Australia

MSWA continues it's strong partnership with our national body, MS Australia. In FY24/25, MS Australia will be distributing key MS funds on behalf of MSWA through their well-established grants panel to ensure proper governance and placement for impact.

International Research

The International Progressive MS Alliance, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation

The International Progressive MS Alliance is an unprecedented global collaboration of MS organisations, researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, and people with progressive MS, transforming the landscape of MS.