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The Octopus clinical trial has today issued its first results. Octopus is investigating potential treatments to slow disability progression in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Of the two drugs that have been tested so far, metformin has been dropped from the trial, but encouragingly, alpha-lipoic acid will progress to the next stage of testing, meaning this potential treatment will continue to be studied in a larger group of participants.
The Anne Rowling Clinic is the only recruitment site in Scotland for Octopus, helping people with progressive MS across Scotland to take part in this important research.
The decision means that further recruitment will focus on alpha-lipoic acid and placebo and the introduction of further test drugs in 2027.
Dr Peter Foley, who is Principal Investigator for Octopus at the Edinburgh trial site based at the Anne Rowling Clinic, said:
The team at the Anne Rowling Clinic has been encouraged to hear of the latest developments in the Octopus trial. While of course it’s disappointing in some ways that metformin won’t progress to the next stage of the trial, it’s positive that Octopus is already helping to work out what treatments might be helpful.
Building on these early results, alpha-lipoic acid will continue to be tested as a potential future treatment for progressive MS. We're happy to be able to support delivering this important trial in Scotland and are very grateful to all the trial participants who have committed so much time and effort. We hope that the success of the innovative Octopus trial design so far is a positive step towards developing effective therapies for people affected by progressive MS.
The Edinburgh team is proud to contribute to Octopus and to the ongoing search for new treatments for progressive MS. We would also like to thank everyone who has taken part in the Octopus trial for their time, commitment and contribution to this important research.
Relevant links
Read the full press release by the MS Society UK
Register your interest in taking part in Octopus through the UK MS Register
Visit the Octopus clinical trial project page
Further information
The Octopus trial is led by Professor Jeremy Chataway, University College London and is funded by the MS Society UK.
For more information about the interim results, you can sign up for the MS Society’s Eventbrite event: Octopus trial for progressive MS – understanding the interim results.