What seems to be a promising treatment for multiple sclerosis is in development at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Michael Levin and his team say they have found the missing puzzle piece when it comes to successful MS therapies and have developed a drug based off their discovery.

Levin discovered that, in the brains of MS patients, the A1 protein is trapped outside of the cell’s nucleus and is stuck in the cytoplasm. He says his drug goes into the cell and releases the A1 from where it is stuck, and not only do the cells stop dying, but they begin to grow back.

He also adds that he has noticed a therapy gap when it comes to MS patients, where treatment is given but patients seem to get worse. He says his technology fills the gap, and he hopes to stop MS in its tracks in the future. With the proper funding, Levin says he would like to see the drug begin safety studies in four years and clinical trials in five.

Levin had been utilizing resources from Opus, a new program on campus designed to provide access to programming, infrastructure and mentors to those who wish to start a company or develop a product.