News Release

Nonprofits agree to work together to expand research infrastructure and encourage greater collaboration and data sharing in the MS research community

(New York, NY and Waltham, MA September 30, 2009) -- The Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, a national nonprofit organization, and Fast Forward, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, today announced a collaboration to support the Accelerated Cure Project.s Tissue Repository program.

The Accelerated Cure Project has created a large-scale collection of biological samples and data from people with MS, selected other demyelinating diseases, and unaffected controls. These samples and data are available to academic and industry researchers engaged in a variety of activities including studying the causes of MS; evaluating the genetic components of MS; and developing diagnostic tests and related tools for monitoring MS disease activity. A distinct aspect of this resource is its creation of a database to house the scientific/clinical data generated by studies which use samples from the repository.

The collaboration with the Accelerated Cure Project is a part of Fast Forward's long-term strategy of facilitating creation of resources that can be used by emerging biotechnology companies. "We are pleased to partner with the Accelerated Cure Project to advance the development of new treatments for MS," said Dr. Timothy Coetzee, President of Fast Forward. "There is an increased demand for high quality samples that companies can use to discern and validate biomarkers which will help develop and corroborate diagnostic and prognostic tests for MS." Adds Dr. Coetzee, "The Accelerated Cure Project.s collection is a vital resource for this critical research."

"Fast Forward's support provides important validation for continued development and expansion of the tissue repository" said Ms. Carolyn Cronin, President and CEO of the Accelerated Cure Project. "Building on the work of our founder, Art Mellor, we are pleased to form this collaboration with Fast Forward to accelerate the pace of MS research."

About Fast Forward, LLC

Fast Forward, LLC is a nonprofit organization established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in order to accelerate the development of treatments for MS. Fast Forward will accomplish its mission by connecting university-based MS research with private-sector drug development and by funding small biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative new MS therapies and repurpose FDA-approved drugs as new treatments for MS. For more information visit: www.fastforward.org

About Accelerated Cure Project

Accelerated Cure Project is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to accelerate the cure of multiple sclerosis (MS) by facilitating research that determines the causes and mechanisms of MS. Our primary strategic initiative is the establishment of the MS Repository, a large-scale collection of highly-characterized biosamples available to scientist at any organization who are conducting research that contributes to our mission. All data generated through analysis of MS Repository samples is contributed back to the Accelerated Cure Project, resulting in an increasingly valuable and comprehensive information resource that can be analyzed to reveal new insights about MS. For more information about the Accelerated Cure Project or to make a corporate or individual donation, call 781-487-0008, visit www.acceleratedcure.org, or send an email to info_no_spam_please_@i_mean_it.no_spam_whatsoever.acceleratedcure.org.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that often results in severe disability including the inability to walk, blindness, cognitive dysfunction, extreme fatigue and other serious symptoms. MS affects over 400,000 people in the US and 2 million individuals worldwide. The disorder occurs twice as often in women as in men. The cause is not known and there is no known cure.