Evolving Research Strategies to Address Multiple Sclerosis Progression Earlier: Ludwig Kappos, MD

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"As neurologists caring in an interdisciplinary team for people with MS, we need to understand the complexity and take this into account with the methods that we use. For example, to see cognitive deficits and assess whether there is progression that is not measurable with the clinical investigations we have applied for more than 100 years."

At the 2025 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress, held September 24-26, in Barcelona, Spain, Ludwig Kappos, MD, a professor of neurology at the University of Basel, was named a recipient of the 2025 Charcot Award, the highest international honor for lifetime achievement in multiple sclerosis (MS) research, from the MS International Federation. Over more than 3 decades, Kappos has contributed to nearly every facet of MS care, from diagnosis to treatment and disease monitoring.

His work has helped establish modern standards of care, accelerate therapeutic development, and expand understanding of disease progression and measurement. In addition to his research accomplishments, he has been recognized for mentoring emerging investigators and fostering the next generation of MS researchers.¹

Many of the therapies now central to MS management were developed in clinical trials in which Kappos served as principal investigator or as a steering committee member. His involvement spans early interferon studies to more recent trials of agents such as ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Genentech) and siponimod (Mayzent; Novartis), influencing treatment strategies for both relapsing and progressive forms of the disease. Kappos has also advanced the concept of progression independent of relapse activity, which has reshaped how disease worsening is defined and evaluated. His research has promoted the use of digital tools, imaging, and biomarkers to improve disease assessment and monitoring.

The Charcot Award highlights not only Kappos’s individual achievements but also the collaborative efforts of his research team in refining clinical trial design, imaging methods, and treatment approaches. During the meeting, Kappos delivered the Charcot Lecture on the development of MS therapeutics.² In an interview at the Congress with NeurologyLive^®, he emphasized the need to adapt research and clinical strategies to identify and manage progression independent of relapse activity. He stressed the value of well-defined patient groups, ongoing monitoring, and thorough assessments to uncover cognitive changes and disease mechanisms often missed by standard evaluations.

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REFERENCES
1. Prof. Ludwig Kappos Delivers Prestigious Charcot Lecture. News Release. European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. Published July 25, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2024. https://ectrims.eu/insights/ms-charcot-award-2025-goes-to-professor-ludwig-kappos/
2. Kappos L. Charcot Lecture: Developing MS therapeutics - success factors and call for innovation. Presented at ECTRIMS Congress; September 24-26, 2025; Barcelona, Spain. Plenary Session 2: Closing Session with Charcot Lecture, Highlights and Awards.