Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis

Every sample in the ACP Repository represents a person who chose to contribute to the future of MS research. In the latest issue of Accelerate, ACP's monthly newsletter, Dr. Unsong Oh reflects on the responsibility that comes with helping steward that resource. As a member of ACP's Scientific Steering Committee — a group of clinicians, researchers, and MS experts who help guide how Repository samples and data are used — he works to ensure contributions are directed toward research most likely to make a meaningful difference for people living with MS. The story also highlights one of the Repository's defining features: researchers who access samples are required to return their findings to the database, enriching the resource with every study. Read the full story and subscribe to Accelerate for research updates, stories from people living with MS, and insights from across the MS research community: https://lnkd.in/gAeXyqXG #MultipleSclerosis #MSResearch #MS

ACP is at the table where biotechnology, AI, and patient advocacy meet. Hollie Schmidt joins industry leaders on a #BIO2026 panel, including Stacie Calad-Thomson, PhD of NVIDIA, Heather M. Snyder of Alzheimer's Association®, and Kimberly Myers, Ph.D. of Deloitte, among others, to tackle one of research's hardest questions: how do you accelerate discovery without compromising the data trust that makes it possible? Accelerating Discovery While Protecting Patient Data: Federated Learning at Scale | Wednesday, June 24 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | San Diego Convention Center ACP will also be available to meet with researchers and organizations to explore whether our resources might support your work. If you want to see what one of the most comprehensive multi-omic and longitudinal MS research ecosystems in the world can do for your next study, we'd welcome the conversation. Find us through the BIO Partnering System or reach out to schedule a meeting: partner@acceleratedcure.org

The National MS Society recently released the Voice of the Patient Report, and the Accelerated Cure Project is proud to have been a partner in bringing it to life. Developed in parallel with the FDA's patient-focused drug development program through the Shaping Tomorrow Together initiative, this is one of the most comprehensive documents ever produced on the lived experience of MS. The report synthesizes insights from a public meeting and a companion survey completed by 2,892 people living with MS and care partners. It documents lived experiences, treatment trade-offs, and unmet needs across MS types and disease stages, and is intended as a resource for researchers, drug developers, clinicians, and regulators. Key findings: 65% of respondents reported stopping at least one disease-modifying therapy, most commonly due to worsening MS, intolerable side effects, or a physician recommendation. Progression without relapse emerged as a consistent theme, even among those considered well-managed. Urgent unmet needs identified include earlier diagnosis, greater symptomatic relief, effective treatment of disease progression, and therapies to repair demyelination and restore lost function. The full report, including an executive summary and complete survey data, is available now: https://lnkd.in/e5eWsseU #multiplesclerosis #MSresearch

Siloed data slows MS research. ACP CEO Sara Loud talks with DNAnexus about how their platform brings biological and longitudinal data from 6,000 people affected by MS into one secure, collaborative workspace—and how multidisciplinary teams can apply now to interrogate it through the all-new ACP Data Challenge Pilot. Learn more about the Challenge: https://lnkd.in/et75CnFH

What might researchers discover if they could explore biological and longitudinal data from more than 6,000 people living with MS in a single secure environment? That's the question behind the ACP Data Challenge Pilot, launching this fall. For the first time, ACP is opening its research ecosystem through a structured research challenge, giving multidisciplinary teams secure access to biological and longitudinal data from the ACP Biosample Repository and iConquerMS within the DNAnexus Titan Trusted Research Environment. The goal: to generate new hypotheses, surface novel computational approaches, and catalyze collaborations that outlast the challenge itself. The MS community built this data. Now help us unleash it. Researchers: Applications are due July 20, 2026. Supporters: Your gift helps make it happen. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/epJpmdgh

Every six months, members of ACP's iConquerMS research community complete REAL-MS surveys that help researchers understand what life with MS is really like from the people who know it best. Follow-up surveys are open now and close on July 6. Not a member yet? There's no better time to join, and new members can start the survey anytime at iconquerms.org. The REAL-MS dataset now spans nearly a decade. Researchers interested in accessing this longitudinal data for their studies can reach the team at partner@acceleratedcure.org. #multiplesclerosis #msresearch

Breaking down the silos together! Thank you to all of the folks who participated in the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis Repository and to DNAnexus for their partnership as we work to fulfill the vision of faster diagnoses, more effective treatments, and a cure for MS through our robust MS research ecosystem.

MS researchers and clinicians fill the halls at the CMSC annual meeting every year. This time, we brought an iConquerMS community member with us. Nora Gutierrez, who lives with MS and serves on the iConquerMS RIDE Council (Research Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Council), shares her experience from the inside. iConquerMS, a program of Accelerated Cure Project for MS, is a people-powered research network where more than 10,000 members help shape the MS research agenda. Your experience belongs in these halls and in these conversations. Join us at iconquerms.org.

Fundraising for MS research doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's as simple as taking something you love and getting a little creative. For Emily Shire and her mother, Bev, it started with a mahjong and canasta tournament at a local restaurant in Wellesley, Mass., a game they love, played in honor of a friend living with MS. Through their organization, Canasta Connection, what began at the game table turned into meaningful dollars for MS research through Accelerated Cure Project for MS. There are as many ways to support this work as there are people who care about it. Whether you're a card shark, baker, runner, or just someone with a good idea and a willing group of friends, ACP has a starter kit to help you make it happen: https://lnkd.in/g83Rfkjh

Are you interested in shaping the future of MS research? The RIDE Council, iConquerMS's Research Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Council, is now accepting applications for a limited number of openings on both our Hispanic and Emerging Voices sub-councils. We are especially looking to hear from members of the Hispanic and Latino community, individuals who have been recently diagnosed with MS, those living in rural areas, veterans, and LGBTQ+ members. If you or someone you know brings one of these perspectives and wants to help make MS research more inclusive and representative, we'd love to connect. Reach out to Jordan Caines at Jcaines@acceleratedcure.org to learn more or submit your interest. #MultipleSclerosis #MSResearch #HealthEquity