02/15/2026
Scientists say they have found a way to repair MS-related nerve damage — not just slow it down! A promising new class of drugs may offer a way to repair the nerve damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), which is something current treatments cannot do. In MS, the immune system attacks myelin, the protective layer that surrounds nerve fibers, leading to progressive disability. Now, researchers from UC Riverside and the University of Illinois have identified two compounds, K102 and K110, that not only regulate immune activity but also stimulate the body’s natural ability to rebuild myelin.
K102, the most promising candidate, promoted remyelination in both mouse models and human-derived cells in the lab, effectively restoring nerve insulation and function. These compounds work by activating oligodendrocyte precursor cells—the building blocks of myelin—and encouraging them to mature and repair damaged fibers. That process breaks down in MS, but K102 appears to reignite it. After screening over 60 molecular variants, scientists landed on these two drug-like compounds with strong safety and efficacy profiles. The research has now moved toward clinical development, licensed by biotech startup Cadenza Bio. While human trials are still ahead, this breakthrough may eventually offer new hope not just for MS patients, but for anyone suffering from conditions involving nerve damage, such as spinal cord injuries or stroke.
