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<p>There are currently no new drugs under assessment for a marketing authorisation
to treat Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) has approved 16 trials in the last five years in the indication of Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Three of these trials remain active, the remainder have completed
or ended early.</p><p> </p><p>The Department funds research mainly through the National
Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The Medical Research Council (MRC), a research
funding body which receives its grant in aid from the Department for Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy, also funds medical research.</p><p> </p><p>The usual practice
of the NIHR and of the MRC is not to ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular
topics: research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. The NIHR
welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including
MND. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently recruiting patients to
24 trials and studies in MND. The NIHR Clinical Research Network is developing and
nurturing relationships with industry, so that the United Kingdom remains attractive
as a site for the innovative therapies.</p><p> </p><p>The MRC currently spends approximately
£5.3 million per year on research relating to MND. The MRC, as part of the Network
of Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration, has recently made available up to £1
million to support research in the UK. The current ‘Pathfinder call’ aims to stimulate
new and unconventional approaches and creative solutions to the challenges of neurodegeneration
research by undertaking high-risk/high-payoff research and is open to researchers
who are involved in MND research.</p>
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