FCRIN4MS, which stands for French Clinical Research Infrastructure Network for Multiple Sclerosis, is the national clinical research network dedicated to multiple sclerosis (MS) and rare inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Accredited as an F-CRIN since 2018, it brings together numerous French centers of expertise with the goal of structuring clinical research on MS, promoting the development of innovative academic and industrial trials, and enhancing the European and international appeal of French research.
FCRIN4MS, the clinical research network for multiple sclerosis and related diseases
The FCRIN4MS network is a multidisciplinary research network of excellence bringing together neurologists, researchers and research professionals specializing in multiple sclerosis (MS) and rare inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system throughout France. Under the auspices of the Francophone Multiple Sclerosis Society, the FCRIN4MS network serves as the operational body for clinical research.
Its expertise, strong recruitment capabilities, team training, and partnerships with clinical research centers and/or Multiple Sclerosis Resource and Competence Centers (CRC-SEP) ensure the conduct of high-quality studies.
The network’s missions:
- To support the development and conduct of multicenter clinical trials in MS and related diseases;
- To serve as a one-stop shop for academic and industrial sponsors;
- Strengthen ties between research centers and national and international partners;
- Harmonize and professionalize clinical research practices in the field;
- Promote training for investigators and teams;
- Work closely with patient organizations to incorporate their expectations and promote information on research advances.
Organization
The FCRIN4MS network is coordinated by Prof. Céline Louapre, Prof. Laure Michel, and Prof. Xavier Ayrignac.
The network currently comprises 35 hospitals, including the 30 Multiple Sclerosis Resource and Competency Centers (CRC-SEP) and affiliated institutions accredited by the Ministry of Health.
The network is also closely connected to major French organizations involved in MS and related diseases:
- The French MS Observatory (OFSEP), a registry that collects clinical, biological, and neuroimaging data from patients with MS and other rare inflammatory diseases;
- The Francophone Multiple Sclerosis Society (SFSEP), which brings together all healthcare professionals working in the field of MS and whose missions focus on harmonizing practices, providing training, and optimizing the care pathway;
- The Committee of the 23 MS Resource and Competence Centers (C2-RCSEP), accredited by the General Directorate for Healthcare Provision (DGOS), which, in addition to promoting high-quality diagnosis and appropriate care throughout the country, supports the development of clinical research in the centers.
Governance of the FCRIN4MS network is ultimately provided by a coordinating committee that facilitates coordination and communication within the network and among its partners. This committee, composed of the three coordinators as well as two project managers (Vanessa Batista-Brochard and Manon Gomes), is based at the Center for Clinical Investigation in Neuroscience at the Brain Institute, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris.
The committee is supported by a steering committee tasked with defining and validating the network’s strategic directions and scientific objectives.
The executive committee, meanwhile, is composed of members from the 35 centers and aims to facilitate active discussion of the network’s projects, bringing together investigators and field teams, and to discuss any difficulties encountered.
Scientific Expertise
The FCRIN4MS network offers scientific and methodological expertise as well as operational capabilities to support researchers, academic sponsors, and industry partners at various stages of a research project: project design and setup, feasibility, trial implementation, and trial recruitment and monitoring. This expertise is complementary to that provided by the sponsor and/or the CRO (Contract Research Organization).
Scientific and methodological expertise:
- Internationally recognized thought leaders in the field of MS and related diseases;
- A dynamic scientific approach with expert working groups on key topics: innovative therapeutic trials, imaging, epidemiology, biomarkers, rare inflammatory diseases;
- Methodological and operational support provided by the network’s coordination unit.
Trained staff who are part of the network:
- Two project managers dedicated to overseeing the network;
- Easier communication at each center with investigators, clinical research coordinators (CRCs), and nurses (RNs);
- Regular meetings with field teams;
- A training program for its members: Watch the video clips on FCRIN4MS’s YouTube channel.
Would you like to learn more about the expertise offered by the FCRIN4MS network? You can download their catalog of services using the link below.
Completed Projects and Notable Achievements
Each year, the network contributes to concrete advances in clinical research, with several studies completed.
In 2025, 55 projects were conducted in collaboration with FCRIN4MS, including:
- 27 focused on academic advancement
- 28 focused on industrial development (including 10 early-stage projects)
Some examples:
This Phase III study, sponsored by SANOFI, demonstrated that tolebrutinib, an oral BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, significantly delays the progression of disability in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).
This is the first treatment to have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of disability in this form of the disease.
With 126 patients enrolled, France is the leading recruiting country in Europe and the second-largest globally, behind the United States.
For more information: the SANOFI press release and the FCRIN4MS press release
This Phase III study, sponsored by ROCHE, demonstrated that fenebrutinib, an oral BTK inhibitor, is at least as effective as Ocrevus, (a B-cell-depleting antibody) with a reduction of approximately 12% in the risk of disability progression compared to Ocrevus, in adult patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). With 71 participants (out of 985), France is the third-largest recruiting country worldwide, after the United States (202) and Ukraine (82).
For more information: the ROCHE press release and the FCRIN4MS press release
This national, multicenter clinical trial, led by Prof. Eric Thouvenot at the Nîmes University Hospital, confirms the benefits of high-dose vitamin D (100,000 IU of cholecalciferol every 2 weeks) in the management of patients with isolated clinical syndrome. A total of 316 patients were enrolled in France.
Patients receiving supplementation showed significantly lower disease activity—both clinically and on MRI—than untreated patients.
Simple, inexpensive, and well-tolerated, vitamin D is emerging as a serious and promising therapeutic adjunct, particularly in patients with severe deficiency.
For more information: the publication
Current Projects
The network is currently involved in several multicenter studies aimed at advancing knowledge and clinical practice, including:
The Novartis Phase I/II study designed to evaluate the safety, disease progression, and cellular kinetics following administration of YTB323 to 28 participants with non-active progressive MS (4 French centers).
Innovative therapies: cell therapies for MS targeting B-cell depletion, including within the central nervous system.
Find the full description of the trial on clinicaltrials.gov
The Roche Phase II study aims to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of RO7268489 (anti-Nogo-A antibody) as an add-on to ocrelizumab in patients with progressive forms of MS (11 French centers).
This is the first trial to test a combination strategy targeting both immunomodulation and neuroprotection/remyelination.
TWINS is a Phase III study led by Prof. Nicolas Collongues at the Strasbourg University Hospital aimed at investigating the lack-inferiority of treatment discontinuation in patients with multiple sclerosis who are stable on first-line therapy (22 French centers).
This is a pioneering study in France on treatment discontinuation in MS among older adults, which could challenge the dogma of lifelong treatment for MS.
Find the full description of the trial on the clinicaltrials.gov website
The Phase III study led by Prof. Xavier Ayrignac at the Montpellier University Hospital aims to determine whether a controlled de-escalation to moderately effective treatments is no-inferior to continuing anti-CD20 therapy in terms of disease control (27 French centers).
This study is also the first prospective randomized trial evaluating a strategy to de-escalate from a highly effective treatment in order to limit long-term side effects.
Find the full description of the trial on clinicaltrials.gov
Contact the network
Would you like to learn more about the network and its areas of expertise? You can send an email right now to fcrin4ms@icm-institute.org
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