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Leveraging Patient Insight in MS Trials

By Andreas Lysandropoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Neuroscience

In this insightful panel discussion, Bev Hope, Marketing Strategy Director, engages with Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos, Global Neuroscience Franchise Head at Parexel, and Trishna Bharadia, a renowned MS patient advocate. They explore the critical role of the patient voice in accelerating drug development for multiple sclerosis (MS). The discussion covers the urgency of early intervention, the importance of meaningful endpoints in clinical trials, and the transformative potential of patient advisory councils. Join us as we delve into these vital topics to better understand and improve the lives of those affected by MS.

Part 1: Urgency in Clinical Research and Treatment

In this panel, Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos explains why timely treatment is essential for neurological conditions like MS, drawing parallels with the oncology field. Trishna Bharadia shares her personal experience with early intervention and how it has positively impacted her quality of life and disease progression. This discussion underscores the need for early diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes.

In this panel, Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos explains why timely treatment is essential for neurological conditions like MS, drawing parallels with the oncology field. Trishna Bharadia shares her personal experience with early intervention and how it has positively impacted her quality of life and disease progression. This discussion underscores the need for early diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Part 2: Meaningful Endpoints in Neuroscience Clinical Trials

This panel focuses on the concept of meaningful endpoints in neuroscience clinical trials. Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos elaborates on what constitutes meaningful endpoints and why they are particularly important in neurology. Trishna Bharadia provides her perspective as a patient and advocate, highlighting the tangible benefits of endpoints that directly translate to improved function and quality of life. The discussion emphasizes the need for patient input in defining and designing these endpoints to ensure they are relevant and impactful.

Part 3: The Role of Patient Advisory Councils

In part three, the discussion explores the role and value of patient advisory councils in developing patient-guided clinical research. Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos explains the purpose and function of these councils within Parexel's neuroscience franchise. Trishna Bharadia shares her experiences as a member of such councils, emphasizing the importance of incorporating patient and caregiver perspectives in clinical trial design. This panel highlights how patient advisory councils can enhance trial design and accelerate the development of treatments that truly make a difference in patients' lives.

In part three, the discussion explores the role and value of patient advisory councils in developing patient-guided clinical research. Dr. Andreas Lysandropoulos explains the purpose and function of these councils within Parexel's neuroscience franchise. Trishna Bharadia shares her experiences as a member of such councils, emphasizing the importance of incorporating patient and caregiver perspectives in clinical trial design. This panel highlights how patient advisory councils can enhance trial design and accelerate the development of treatments that truly make a difference in patients' lives.

Contributing Experts

Andreas Lysandropoulos, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior Vice President, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Neuroscience

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Learn more about how Parexel is accelerating neuroscience

At Parexel, we advise sponsors on strategies to accelerate development timelines and effective ways to support approval and access to new neuroscience treatments. Sponsors can take calculated risks in this fast-evolving scientific and regulatory environment, such as utilizing novel biomarkers and endpoints, innovative trial designs, patient-guided feasibility testing, a bespoke regulatory strategy, and real-world evidence. We help them mitigate risks with expertise gained from experience.

In the past five years, our neuroscience-focused team of patient advocates, clinicians, scientists, statisticians, and former regulators has partnered with sponsors for more than 600 clinical and consulting projects, enrolling 47,000 patients.

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