Episode 423: Understanding Infections and MS with Dr. Robert Fox

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with MS have been justifiably concerned about how a COVID-19 infection might impact their MS. As the new "Stratus" strain of COVID-19 is currently surging in the United States, research is providing answers we didn't have five years ago.

Dr. Robert Fox, the Managing Director of the NARCOMS Patient Registry, joins me to discuss how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people with MS.

As ECTRIMS, the world's largest MS research conference, approached, many attendees anticipated the FDA's decision on whether to approve Tolebrutinib, the first in a new category of disease-modifying therapies. Instead, the FDA has requested additional time for its review. We'll fill you in on the FDA's new target action date, and explain why there's strong interest in this particular disease-modifying therapy.

We know there's a specific gene that increases the risk of someone developing MS. But have you ever wondered where that gene came from, or why it exists at all? At ECTRIMS, Professor Lars Fugger took us on a journey 5,000 years into the past to explain its origin. When I spoke with him, Professor Fugger also explained how events from ancient history are still affecting the risk of developing MS today. You won't want to miss this compelling conversation!

At ECTRIMS, I also caught up with Jason Tardio, the President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, the Chief Medical Officer, from Immunic Therapeutics. We talked about how their investigative drug, vidofludimus calcium, could potentially benefit people with MS by combating inflammation, protecting the nervous system, and offering antiviral benefits.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Infections and MS, and more from ECTRIMS 2025! :22

FDA extends its review of Tolebrutinib 1:42

From ECTRIMS: Professor Lars Fugger discusses the origin of the gene that increases an individual's risk of developing MS 4:11

From ECTRIMS: Jason Tardio, President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, Chief Medical Officer, at Immunic Therapeutics, discuss how vidofludimus calcium could potentially benefit people with MS 11:22

Dr. Robert Fox discusses what the research reveals about how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people living with MS 16:34

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RealTalk MS Episode 423
Guests: Professor Lars Fugger, Jason Tardio, Dr. Andreas Meuhler, and Dr. Robert Fox

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