Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Achievements so far... Governance and Review • A five-fold increase in research funding since 2004, with Board of Directors Research Management Council MSRA becoming a leader in supporting MS research in MSRA HAS Australia CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF Simon McKeon – Chairman Reviews proposals for MS research investment. • Establishing a focal point for collaboration amongst MS Executive Chairman – Macquarie Group Limited, Dr Bill Carroll – Chairman Melbourne office researchers MS RESEARCH IN Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth Dr Bill Carroll • Eighteen new research scholarships and fellowships, all AUSTRALIA Prof David Adams Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Director of Head of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner talented scientists focusing on MS outcomes The University of Queensland Neurosciences, University of Melbourne Hospital, Perth • Funding a pivotal study indicating the protective benefits of A/Prof Simon Broadley Gabrielle Dalmau Vitamin D (Ausimmune Study) and the potential for prevention Griffith University, QLD Consultant to MS Australia strategies Dr Roger Garsia Dr James Fox Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney • Setting up the MSRA Brain Bank to provide human tissue for Director, Futuris Corporation advanced neuropathology research Chris Gillies Prof Tom Gordon • The biggest Australasian MS genetics study ever with 2,000 Chairman MS Limited, Director MS Australia Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide DNA samples and 10 collaborating institutes, leading to the Dr Peter Hollingsworth potential for better prediction and targeted treatments Paul A Murnane Chairman & Senior Adviser, O'Sullivan Partners The University of Western Australia • A new MSRA Clinical Trials Network to enable the Susan Nixon Dr Elizabeth McDonald co-ordination of trial activity in Australia and New Zealand Former General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MS Limited • Funding of over 30 current MS research projects Westpac Banking Corporation Prof Catriona McLean Prof Graeme Stewart AM The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne Director of the Institute for Immunology and Dr Garry Pearce Allergy Research, Westmead Hospital Private practice Graham Tribe Prof Michael Pender Former Chairman, Nacco Materials Handling Group Royal Brisbane Hospital, QLD MSA/MSRA Research Spend Pty Ltd, President MS Australia, Director MS Limited Prof John Pollard AO 2000 to 2010 in $000’s Brain and Mind Institute, NSW $3,000 Dr Ron Sharpe Research $s Research Review Board PwMS Representative Develops MSRA's research strategy. Dr Lindsay Vowels Private practice $2,500 Dr Bill Carroll – Chairman Head of Neurology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth. Past President, Australian Association of $2,000 Neurologists Prof Tony Basten MSRA Chair of Immunology, The University of Sydney $1,500 Prof Alistair Compston Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Prof of Neurology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, 293 Mowbray Road UK Chatswood NSW 2067 $1,000 Prof Marc Feldman Director of Immunology, The Kennedy Institute of PO Box 1246 To make a donation, to pledge Rheumatology, London, UK Chatswood NSW 2057 $500 your brain for research, or to seek further information, contact us via: Prof Trevor Kilpatrick Ph: 02 9468 8390 Director of Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne Freecall: 1300 356 467 Phone: 1300 356 467 or $0 Prof John Noseworthy www.msra.org.au www.msra.org.au Prof of Neurology Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA E-mail: [email protected] 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 ABN: 34 008 581 431 A defining issue MSRA strives for breakthroughs in prevention, better treatments and a cure for MS multiple sclerosis, n: MS or ‘multiple scarring’ is an incurable, chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks and scars the RESEARCH protective insulation that surrounds nerve fibres (myelin) in the brain WILL ONE DAY and spinal cord. The progress, severity and symptoms are different for PROVIDE A CURE By Accelerating Research By Increasing Funding everyone. Symptoms range from tingling and numbness to paralysis FOR MS – IT IS and blindness. MS is particularly devastating as the physical and JUST A MATTER MSRA is focused on Australia's acknowledged research strengths and its 100% of all project funding is allocated to the specific areas emotional effects are so unpredictable. OF WHEN Professor Graeme Stewart likely contribution to the worldwide effort. of MS research. Often it is matched by government and other sources. multiple sclerosis research australia, (MSRA), This translates into five main • Career Development MSRA is also looking further n & v: an innovative organisation accelerating and steering research areas of research: Awards – to attract the best afield where international into MS – facilitating projects aiming to establish the environmental, and brightest researchers to collaboration or commercial For all funding received, 1. Genetics and Epidemiology genetic and neurological origins of MS by encouraging collaboration develop the skills and passion partnerships can fast-track 94 cents goes directly 2. Immunology and Virology between Australia’s best medical researchers. MSRA seeks financial for MS research. specific initiatives. to MS research. support for this research via donations, grants, corporate partnerships, 3. Neurobiology bequests and general fundraising. 4. Social and Applied Research MSRA has a partnership with the 5. Clinical Trials Commonwealth Government's NHMRC whereby every dollar we Research is funded in three ways: Major research streams, provide to Betty Cuthbert • Platforms – major Scholarship and Fellowships is collaborative research platforms and projects: matched by the Government. initiatives that address Our Research Partner program significant questions. involves donors who: EBV to determine if the MS Life Study measuring • Projects – annual grant Epstein – Barr virus is the impact of clinical, • Provide general donations or applications to investigate involved as a trigger for MS therapeutic, quality-of-life bequests promising new research and socio-economic directions. Our Research • Contribute to particular aspects on MS Management Council (RMC) projects from our Research Dr Toby Merson, an MSRA Betty The Patron of the MSRA Research provides a peer-evaluation to Portfolio Cuthbert Research Fellow. Partners program is well-known back the best of these Immunology • Directly support a young musician, Jim Conway. MS is on the increase, projects each year. and researcher with a Scholarship Virology affecting close to 20,000 or Fellowship Australians and 2.5 million • Match funding to double Social MSRA’s capacity globally. The impact on Neurobiology MS and Applied individuals and families is Research Research Australia severe and on the nation’s MSRA Brain Bank Research Partners include: economy is $2 billion pa. to provide researchers Without a cure or advanced with human tissue to better understand the Clinical Trials Genetics and treatments, this will continue. mechanisms of MS Industry Corporate State and MS Societies and Generous Epidemiology However, with your help there Round Table Partners, Trusts Federal MS Australia Individuals is great potential for research Members and Foundations Governments breakthroughs. MSRA Clinical Trials Network Ausimmune to ANZgene to find to keep the MS community identify and prevent the genes that cause Dr Fiona McKay, involved with and informed of environmental MS susceptibility and Westmead Millennium Institute new trials triggers of MS relapses.