Press Release

Sainsbury Trust funds “vital” MS research

6 December 2007

A study funded by the MS Society that examines the use of a chemical compound of the cannabis plant in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) has received a donation of £120,000 from the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

The trial is investigating the effect of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the active cannabinoid ingredient in cannabis - on the progression of disability following previous research that indicated THC may help combat nerve fibre damage and loss.

There is currently no treatment to slow down the rate of disability in MS and the CUPID (Cannabinoid use in progressive inflammatory brain disease) study led by Professor John Zajicek at Plymouth’s Peninsula Medical School is the only phase three trial for neuro protection in MS.

Lee Dunster, head of research and information at the MS Society, said the donation would be offset against the total cost of the five-year study.

He added: “This donation will help to fund a significant part of the CUPID study and we are extremely grateful to the Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund for supporting such an important piece of work.

“The CUPID study is based on encouraging observations from a previous clinical trial and we are hopeful the eventual outcome will mean a better quality of life for people disabled by the devastating effects of MS.”

The Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund follows the guidelines of Lord Sainsbury, who wanted scientific and medical research to be a priority in the fund's giving. He supported research into the alleviation of medical conditions with a relatively low public profile, which could be life-changing for significant numbers of people.

Alan Bookbinder, director of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, said: “The trustees are delighted to support the MS Society in these important clinical trials. They hope it will bring vital relief to many people with MS and widen the options for their treatment.”

The THC study is a randomised trial in 500 people with Primary and Secondary Progressive MS and one of around 50 research projects funded by the MS Society.

Prof Zajicek said: “The donation illustrates the importance with which other people regard the CUPID study and indeed any trial that looks at progressive disease.

“It is heartening to see studies like ours get recognition in this way. It is very important for the research and ultimately for the patients.”

For more information on the CUPID study, visit the MS Society online at www.mssociety.org.uk

For media enquiries please contact the MS Society Press Office on 020 8438 0840, or the out of hours duty press officer on 07909 851401.