ECTRIMS and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US) are pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished experts to the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis (IACCTMS). The Committee provides perspective and guidance on planning and implementing clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The following individuals have been appointed to the IACCTMS for the term beginning 1 January 2026:
- Ethel Ciampi, MD, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile)
- Kate Fitzgerald, PhD, Johns Hopkins University (United States)
- Pascal Sati, PhD, Cedars-Sinai Health System (United States)
- Heinz Wiendl, MD, University Hospital Freiburg (Germany)
“We are pleased to welcome our new members and are deeply grateful to those concluding their terms for their important contributions to advancing clinical trial design and methodology in multiple sclerosis.” —Peter Calabresi, Chair of the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS.
The newly appointed members bring deep expertise across neurology, imaging, immunology, and clinical research, strengthening the committee’s ability to guide groundbreaking studies and improve outcomes for patients living with multiple sclerosis.
“The strength of the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS lies in the breadth of expertise and global perspectives it brings together.”—Bruno Stankoff, ECTRIMS President
These appointments underscore the Committee’s momentum in advancing innovative, patient-centred clinical research, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of MS trials through cross-disciplinary and international expertise.
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding experts to our committee. Their knowledge and experience will help us shape innovative trials that bring us closer to breakthroughs for people living with MS.” —Tim Coetzee, President and CEO, National MS Society
The Committee extends its sincere appreciation to the following members who have completed their terms:
- Frederik Barkhof, MD, PhD, University College London (United Kingdom)
- Jorge Correale, MD, Raúl Carrea Institute for Neurological Research (Argentina)
- Marcia Finlayson, PhD, Queen’s University (Canada)
- Amber Salter, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (United States)
The contributions of the outgoing members have been instrumental in advancing the Committee’s work in recent years, supporting informed dialogue, international collaboration, and the continued evolution of clinical research priorities in MS, including the revision of the McDonald Criteria and the provision of expert guidance on emerging challenges in MS clinical research.
About the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS
The Committee was formed and supported by the US National Multiple Sclerosis Society over 40 years ago, and since 2009 it has been sponsored and supported jointly by the US National MS Society and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).
The Committee conceives of and prioritises timely clinical trial-related projects to be undertaken as a whole, in task forces, panel groups, or as larger Committee-sponsored activities. Projects may be pursued in consensus-building international conferences and workshops and through other mechanisms as needed. Outcomes of projects are prepared for publication in high-impact relevant scientific journals for wider distribution to the MS community.
Recent projects and links to publications can be found here.
A list of current members of the committee can be found here.
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