About us

The MS Australia Clinical Trials Network was established in 2010 to facilitate the clinical trials process for MS in Australia and New Zealand and increase awareness and access to clinical trials for people with MS and other demyelinating diseases. The MS Australia Clinical Trials Network is a central point of information for people interested in participating in or conducting a MS clinical trial and for news about MS clinical research and trial activity.

In 2023, the clinical trials network expanded its scope by listing trials in other demyelinating diseases, MOGAD and NMOSD, to foster a comprehensive understanding of this wider group of diseases.

Modelled on other successful clinical trials networks, our aim is to:

  • Improve the opportunity to participate in trials for both patients and neurologists
  • Increase communication and interaction between trial sponsors, trial sites and the patient community
  • Increase patient awareness about trials
  • Enhance trial sponsors’ awareness of Australia and New Zealand’s capacity to undertake MS trials
  • Assist with both industry sponsored and investigator initiated studies

MS Australia Clinical Trials Network does not aim to replace direct interaction between trial sponsors and neurologists or trial sites. Rather, it aims to increase the availability of information and maximise opportunities for participation for all parties.

The MS Australia Clinical Trials Network is administered by MS Australia. The Network’s Executive Committee consists of MS neurologist representatives from Australia and New Zealand, supported by a Scientific Review Committee.

Executive Committee

PROFESSOR JEANNETTE LECHNER-SCOTT

Chair

Staff Specialist, Dept Neurology, John Hunter Hospital; Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University Newcastle (NSW)

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARK SLEE

BAppSc, BMBS, FRACP, PhD

Senior Consultant Neurologist; Lecturer in Medicine, Flinders University and Medical Centre (SA)

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ROB HEARD

BAppSc, BMBS, FRACP, PhD

Clinical Associate Professor, Medicine, Westmead Clinical School, Westmead Hospital (NSW)

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MICHAEL BARNETT

MBBS FRACP PhD

Senior Lecturer in Neurology, Medicine, Central Clinical School, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney (NSW)

PROFESSOR SIMON BROADLEY

BSc (Hons), MB, ChB, MRCP(UK), PhD, FRACP

Professor of Neurology, Dean of Medicine, School of Medicine, Griffith University (QLD)

PROFESSOR BRUCE TAYLOR

Bmed sci, MB.BS., MD, FRACP

Principal Research Fellow, Menzies Research Institute; Staff Specialist, Royal Hobart Hospital (TAS)

PROFESSOR HELMUT BUTZKUEVEN

Principal Research Fellow, Florey Neuroscience Institutes and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Melbourne; MS Neurologist, Royal Melbourne Hospital; Director of MS services, Box Hill Hospital (VIC)

PROFESSOR ALLAN KERMODE

Chair

Consultant Neurologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Diseases, Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, Perth (WA)

PROFESSOR BILL CARROLL

MSSB MD FRACP FRCP (E)

Consultant Neurologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, Perth (WA)

Dr Ernie Willoughby

DR ERNIE WILLOUGHBY

Neurologist, Auckland District Health Board; Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand

PROFESSOR RICHARD MACDONELL

Head of Neurology, Austin Hospital; Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne (VIC)

The MS Australia Clinical Trials Network works closely with the following organisations:

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