Queen Square MS Centre, NMR Research Unit Trials Office

David MacManus, Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre (QSMSC), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology

The NMR Research Unit, part of the Queen Square MS Centre, is internationally recognized for its significant contribution over the last four decades in advancing the understanding of the disease mechanisms of multiple sclerosis (MS), and in pioneering new magnetic resonance techniques.

As a result of its expertise in the area of MRI and MS, collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry was developed as potential therapies for MS began to be explored. This resulted in the Unit undertaking its first major multicentre phase III MS treatment trial in 1995.  Several other contracts followed, which resulted in a dedicated trials team being formed – the QSMSC NMR Research Unit Trials Office, headed by David MacManus.

The team works with sponsors and funders from the pharmaceutical industry, research councils, academic institutions, the NHS, and medical charities to manage and analyse MRI data acquired as part of international multicentre MS treatment trials.