The long awaited news for Saskatchewan MS patients was made today. Premier Brad Wall announced today that Dr. Gary Siskin of the Albany Medical Centre is in the final stages of Food and Drug Administration approval for the largest Liberation Therapy clinical trial of its type, and that Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis patients can now apply to volunteer to participate in the trial. The province is providing $2.2 million in funding to have 86 Saskatchewan MS patients included in the two-year, double-blind clinical trial at Albany Medical Centre in Albany, New York. Patients interested in volunteering for the study may apply online at www.health.gov.sk.ca/ms-clinical-trial or call 1-855-690-9901. Applications will be accepted until February 24.

Provincial officials stress that applying does not guarantee participation in the research with prospective candidates randomly selected from all applications. Individuals will then be screened for eligibility and medically assessed; and candidates invited to participate will be contacted over the next few months, with the first patients expected to travel to Albany in March 2012.