Collaboration. Acceleration. Results.
Myelin Repair Foundation Home Page
“We view the Myelin Repair Foundation's Accelerated Research Collaboration model as just that, a transformative idea with the potential to pioneer a new approach to medical research that can speed the discovery process and lead to the development of new treatments.” —Carl Schramm, former President and CEO, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

About Us

Since 2004, the Myelin Repair Foundation has funded basic research that has led to the publication of more than 120 peer-reviewed scientific articles, the identification of more than 100 novel potential myelin repair treatment targets and the discovery of multiple new research tools—animal models and assays—that may help to accelerate research on all neurological diseases. The Myelin Repair Foundation is supported by the generous gifts of individuals, foundations and corporations. Since 2004, we have raised $60 million to support our myelin repair research program.

Focus on Biomarkers

The Myelin Repair Foundation is identifying biomarkers to help accelerate myelin repair treatments.

Driving Myelin Repair

Here is a timeline of our past work leading up to our impact today, along with our future focus.

Past - Before the Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF)

  • MS research was focused on modulating the immune system
  • No one thought myelin repair was possible
  • Repairing the brain had never been done for any neurological disease and was considered “science fiction”
  • Myelin repair basic research was almost non-existent
  • No pharmaceutical company was interested in myelin repair or had a myelin repair drug development program

MRF accomplishments 2004 to 2016

  • Generated interest in myelin repair and belief in repair to treat MS
  • MRF created and funded a coordinated multi-disciplinary team to execute a research plan involving preeminent experts from around the world
  • Opened a first-of-its-kind Translational Medicine Center to move basic discoveries towards adoption by pharma for further development
  • Worked with pharmaceutical companies to help them evaluate / prioritize new myelin repair drug development programs
  • Partnered with the NIH on a myelin repair clinical trial
Photo of The Myelin Repair Foundation staff

Result of MRF’s work:

  • Broad interest in and funding of myelin repair basic research
  • Many pharmaceutical companies have and are investing in myelin repair drug development

In 2017, MRF initiated research to identify myelin repair biomarkers

Why: Myelin repair biomarkers are needed to speed both basic research and drug development

How: Biomarkers are difficult to detect and require diverse expertise / skills to identify

  • MRF is working collaboratively with academics, clinicians, biobanks, the NIH, commercial laboratories, and pharma
  • MRF is making good progress – we have funded dozens of diverse investigations across North America and Europe
  • MRF needs funds to complete the task and enable our vision for the future, described below

Future - Biomarkers leverage MRF’s past accomplishments and the efforts now underway by all

  • Non-invasive, rapid readout, low cost myelin repair biomarkers are widely used in basic research and drug development
  • Biomarkers enable faster evaluation of myelin repair drug candidates and shorter smaller clinical trials
  • Resulting in more rapid availability of myelin repair treatments
  • Myelin repair treatments are used alone or in conjunction with immune modulating MS treatments to prevent and repair damage
  • MS no longer causes disability and disruption to millions in the prime of their lives

To achieve this future, MRF needs additional funding from generous supporters.