MS drug candidate research carries on after scholar's death

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Empire Discovery Institute has entered into a collaborative research partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its commercial development program Fast Forward, LLC.

The partnership builds on drug development research initiated by the late M. Laura Feltri, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of biochemistry and neurology in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

EDI was awarded $791,933 from Fast Forward along with technical support from its network of key opinion leaders in multiple sclerosis (MS).

EDI is a nonprofit drug discovery and development accelerator created to translate promising scientific discoveries into new breakthrough treatments and cures, support vital upstate New York pharmaceutical research efforts, and foster the development of a vibrant biotech startup communities in New York State.

It was made possible through a New York State seed grant from Empire State Development and through a research partnership with the University at Buffalo, University of Rochester and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Pioneering work on MS drug design and development

Fast Forward provides research funding to commercial entities who develop promising new therapies for the treatment of MS, a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system impacting the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

EDI has been incubating an early-stage drug discovery project that originated from Feltri, an internationally renowned pioneer in the study and treatment of myelin diseases of the nervous system, who passed away in late 2023 after a long battle with cancer.

Feltri and the institute’s scientific team discovered novel small molecules which have the potential to stimulate the repair of nerve damage by promoting remyelination in MS and other white matter injuries. The Fast Forward award will support continued optimization of these small molecule drug candidates.

“We look forward to working with our National MS Society partners at Fast Forward to advance this work toward human clinical studies,” says Ron Newbold, PhD, CEO of the Empire Discovery Institute. “By combining scientific innovation and pharmaceutical industry expertise, EDI’s goal of promoting the efficient translation of fundamental scientific discoveries from academia into important new medicines is becoming reality.”

Venu Govindaraju, PhD, vice president for research and economic development at UB and EDI board member, says “Empire Discovery Institute is deeply grateful to Fast Forward for its support.”

He adds: “We are honored by this award and look forward to continuing our esteemed colleague Dr. Feltri’s life’s achievements, legacy and the institute’s important work in advancing drug treatments for MS patients around the world.”

National MS Society founded in 1946

For Fast Forward, this partnership represents a continuation of its dedication to support novel research efforts aimed at advancing promising treatments for MS patients.

“Fast Forward is pleased to provide significant financial and intellectual support to this Empire Discovery Institute program, as it offers the potential to slow or stop the progression of demyelination in people who have progressive forms of MS,” says Walter Kostich, PhD, associate vice president, translational research at the National MS Society.

“We look forward to collaborating with EDI on this program as it aligns closely with the Pathways to Cures Roadmap, in particular to stop progression and to promote myelin repair and protection.”

The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. It funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives.