Charity makes ‘historic’ £2m investment in UK’s biggest ever MND drug trial

MND Scotland has announced a “historic” £2m investment in what is said to be the UK’s biggest ever clinical drug trial of the disease.

The MND-SMART trial is designed to increase the speed of the search for treatment that can slow, reverse or stop the progression of the disease.

MND Scotland said the money would drive the next phase of the disease and over 500 participants have already been recruited to take part in the trial.

MND is a terminal illness, which stops the signals from the brain reaching the muscles. Average life expectancy is 18 months from diagnosis and there is currently no effective treatment or cure.

Dr Jane Haley, MND Scotland’s director of research, said “This is the largest single research investment MND Scotland has ever made and will help drive the next phase of this pioneering trial, ensuring equitable access to a clinical trial for people with MND.

“None of this would be possible if not for our incredible fundraisers, volunteers and donors who make our work possible every day.  Together, we will make time count.”

The trial will allow multiple drug treatments to tested simultaneously, speeding up progress and reducing the number of people with MND who would be assigned to a “placebo” group.  It is designed to run continuously for several years and is open to the vast majority of people living with MND across the UK.

Trial leader Professor Suvankar Pal, said “MND-SMART has already transformed the MND clinical trial landscape in the UK; so far more than 500 people with MND across Scotland and the rest of the UK have given up their time to take part in this vital research to identify potential new treatments.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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