Tech Transfer Initiative Aims To Speed Development Of MS Treatments

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 10 Dec 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society last week announced the creation of Fast Forward LLC, a technology transfer initiative aimed at translating promising laboratory discoveries into effective new treatments for MS sufferers. A wholly owned subsidiary of the society, Fast Forward intends to partner with start-up and existing companies to develop new therapies or repurpose existing drugs to treat the crippling condition.

The new entity is currently evaluating business proposals and plans to make initial investments in early 2008. The National MS Society is one of only a handful of health-related foundations and nonprofit organizations in recent years to create technology transfer programs, driven in part by the lack of progress in drug development for certain diseases. Other examples include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. According to Timothy Coetzee, executive director of Fast Forward, some private companies are hesitant to invest the time and money needed to develop MS-related treatments because the potential market is considered relatively small. The worldwide market for MS-related therapies is estimated at $4 billion annually.

"It is our responsibility to find innovative and effective ways to fill the gap between university knowledge and commercial treatments and to meet our commitment to people with MS," Coetzee said. "We won't hit home runs on every investment, but when we do, it will change the future for people living with this disease." Fast Forward has already secured $4.5 million of the $30 million it plans to raise during the next six years to fund the investments, and it expects to reinvest revenues generated from royalty payments on the drugs its efforts help develop and commercialize.

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