UAE Multiple Sclerosis Awards to Fund Research

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 24 January 2024: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), a UAE-based NGO established under the Ministry of Community Development that leverages education, advocacy, and global cure-seeking efforts to improve the lives of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has announced the six recipients of its research grant funds following a call for research proposals earlier this year.

The Society received 12 applications in response to its initiative, with the following six being selected as grant award winners: A Country-Wide Epidemiology of Multiple Sclerosis in the UAE, submitted by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, LAMINATE: Longitudinal AI-based MS Lesion and Atrophy Segmentation Tool, by New York University Abu Dhabi, while Harley Street Medical Center won the grant for its application tackling Multiple Sclerosis in Children: Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Treatment Patterns in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Additionally, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center’s Clinical Trial for Multiple Sclerosis - a Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) in Treating Multiple Sclerosis, won the grant as well, while the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence won for its study on Prediction, Timely Diagnosis, and Accurate Prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis from Multi-Modal Data using Artificial Intelligence. Finally, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi claimed the grant for its study Addressing the Eligibility of Escalation vs. Early Intensive Approach to Treatment-Naïve Relapsing MS Patients Using MRI & Deep Learning. 

Commenting on the selection of the grant award winners, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National MSSociety Board of Trustees and Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Programme (AD-BMT©) at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) said: “We’re delighted to be awarding six projects grant funds to support ongoing research efforts around treatments, diagnosis, and characteristics of MS in the UAE. These studies have been carefully selected because of their relevance and alignment with the goals and priorities of NMSS and will serve to support our understanding of the prevalence of MS in the UAE. Some of the projects may also provide comprehensive scientific knowledge that has the potential to advance diagnostic tools and treatment options in the UAE and, possibly around the world.” 

She added, “We received 12 applications in response to our initial call for proposals, indicating the local and regional interest in conducting research on MS in the UAE. In line with our mission to support individuals and communities affected by the condition, NMSS continues to prioritise understanding of MS and commits to providing support, resources, and access to institutions in the region who share the same vision,” 

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) stated: “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is working on supporting all research efforts to provide excellent healthcare services and innovative treatments to members of the Abu Dhabi community, and beyond. Working alongside the NMSS is a continuation of our efforts to discover innovative solutions for rare diseases, such as MS, thus cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for healthcare and a research and innovation hub. We look forward to seeing groundbreaking results from the community’s bright researchers.”

In June 2023, NMSS launched its first-ever call for research proposals, promising to offer grant funds to projects that aligned closest with its priorities, which are centered around innovative and emerging treatments that can slow, stop, or reverse MS as well as clinical characteristics, epidemiology, incidence, and prevalence of MS in the UAE and the role of genetics in MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system that affects over 2.8 million people around the world. For more information on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit www.nationalmssociety.ae.