Episode 1

Advancing MS Care: The Eye-Brain Connection

We are thrilled to highlight the first of five exceptional teams selected for funding through Roche’s MS Innovation Challenge in this special feature of the Moving Science podcast, titled "The Eye-Brain Connection: Advancing a New Quantitative Eye Movement Test to Detect Disease Progression. "

Hosted by Dr. Leorah Freeman, MD, PhD (The University of Texas at Austin), this episode showcases the inspiring collaboration between a start-up and academia, uniting expertise in MS research, neurooptometry, and optical engineering to tackle critical unmet needs in MS care—specifically, progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA).

The discussion features accomplished leaders in this groundbreaking project:

• Dr. Christy K. Sheehy-Bensinger, PhD, CEO of C. Light Technologies, Inc.
• Dr. Jacqueline Theis OD, FAAO, FNAP, neuro-optometrist and Chief Medical Officer.
• Dr. Ari Green, Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco.

Their work centers on a novel quantitative oculomotor biomarker derived from small retinal eye movements. This innovative biomarker offers significant potential in enabling earlier and more precise detection of PIRA. The discussion also underscores the value of exploring eye movements and other biomarkers in advancing diagnostic tools and tracking disease progression.

This episode is a powerful story of academic-grounded research evolving into a successful startup, catalyzed by larger collaborations to improve patient care.

Be inspired by their remarkable journey and learn more:

• Watch on YouTube
• Listen on Apple Podcasts
• Listen on Spotify

Discover more about Roche’s MS Innovation Challenge here.