Startups Helping People With Multiple Sclerosis

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the number of people living with MS in the UK is now over 150,000. This is a 13% increase from 2019 data, where only 130,000 people were living with the diagnosis.

Whilst it’s still unclear what exactly causes multiple sclerosis, research shows that it could be a mix of genes and environment.

 

What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes the immune system to attack the protective covering around nerves, breaking them down.

This can affect the body’s ability to communicate with the brain, impacting a person’s ability to move, walk and sense.

Whilst exact symptoms depend on the person, there is currently no cure. However, there are ways to help with recovery and manage symptoms.

Like with a lot of diseases out there, startups have stepped in to help. Here, we look at some businesses that are setting out to help people manage their MS.

 

How Are Startups Helping People Manage Multiple Sclerosis

 

Living with MS can be hard both physically and emotionally. Here are some ways startups are helping:

• Symptom management: Apps and wearables are helping people manage their symptoms by monitoring their vitals and allowing them to track any changes. These insights can help doctors understand the best route of care, especially in complex cases.
• Mental health support: Mental health can be a very real, but not regularly talked about, symptom of MS. Access to therapy and support on line can help people get the emotional care they need.
• Drug discovery: It’s not just big pharmaceutical companies that are helping with drug discovery, startups are pioneering new ways to cure MS, or at least prevent it developing so aggressively.

Let’s take a look at some of the startups in the space:

 

 

Strolll

 

 

Strolll is a neuro-rehab company that uses augmented reality (AR) glasses to allow physiotherapists to more easily deliver immersive therapy.

These simulated sessions allow people to take part in more interesting rehabilitation exercises, even if they are doing it in a hospital or living room. This helps empower people with neurological disorders like MS to keep moving, no matter where they are.

 

Theia AI

 

 

Theia AI is an artificial intelligence programme that is able to analyse images, giving doctors a clearer picture of a patient’s health.

As MS is a disease that requires monitoring, the company is able to analyse MRI images to alert doctors to any degeneration over time. This can help doctors intervene before symptoms get worse.

 

Progentos Therapeutics

 

 

Progentos Therapeutics is a drug discovery startup that uses small molecules to stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms.

MS destroys myelin, which is the protective coating around nerves. The problem is, nerves with damaged myelin cannot send signals through the brain.

This myelin is generated by cells called oligodendrocytes. Progentos is working to find ways to activate the cells needed to regenerate oligodendrocytes and thus replace myelin lost to MS.

 

GenrAb

 

 

Neurodegeneration is a process caused by MS. GenrAb is working to harness the power of the human immune system to develop ways to protect and treat people with neurological diseases.

This will not only help prevent symptoms of MS getting worse, but will also provide a new ways for doctors to care for the disease.

 

MSCopilot

 

 

MSCopilot is a free medical device for people with MS that helps them monitor their symptoms and track the evolution of the disease.

It’s a device developed by patients, for patients, helping them track their symptoms more regularly. This not only helps keep an eye on how the disease is developing, but also allows them to give their doctors more accurate information about their symptoms – ultimately leading to better care.

 

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics

 

 

BrainStorm cell therapeutics is a company on a mission to develop cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Whilst the company is not currently FDA approved, they are pioneering new ways to think about, and treat, diseases like MS.