Donation agreement between Hasselt University, Mylan EPD BV and Noorderhart vzw regarding UMSC. (R-13706)

The University MS Center (UMSC) is a partnership between Hasselt University (Biomedical research institute) and Noorderhart. We are an international center of expertise where advanced MS research is performed in order to offer the best care for persons with MS, now and in the future. The UMSC combines the multidisciplinary expertise of Hasselt University and the rehabilitation & MS Center within Noorderhart Pelt to perform scientific research and of course give persons with MS the best treatment. The daily operation of the UMSC is based on three pillars: research, education and working together with persons with MS. MS research (together with the patient platform) is of course the central pillar of the UMSC. The MS disease process is studied on several levels: immunology (study of T cells, B cells, macrophages, BBB), neuroinflammation, remyelination aging and cognition, nutrition, exercise and biomarker discovery. Research projects are funded by e.g. governmental channels, Charcot foundation,… Without patient samples and biobanking procedures, these research projects are worthless. Per year, we process about 140 MS samples. The accompanied costs per year are not funded by regular, governmental or other channels. Therefore we are obliged to look for other financial support for the biobanking process. Viatris is a company who will support the biobanking research in the first half of 2023.

Keywords:biomarker, immunology, multiple sclerosis, Remyelination

Disciplines:Autoimmunity, Neurological and neuromuscular diseases