About the Trial
N.B. This video was filmed in 2024. Although the video mentions Octopus, it is applicable to both Octopus and Platypus as Platypus is the Australian extension of the Octopus trial.
The trial which will test multiple treatments with the aim to find one that can slow down, and ultimately stop, the progression of disability in people with primary or secondary progressive MS.
The trial aims to be a more efficient kind of clinical trial by using the multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) approach, visit this page about MAMS for more details on the trial design. It will run over a number of years. The trial initially has two stages.
Analysis Stage 1
In the first stage participants had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans as well as other tests such as Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 25-foot walk and 9-Hole peg test. At the end of this stage, researchers reviewed the MRI data from participants’ scans combined with the data from the other tests.
The analysis of Analysis Stage 1 data helped researchers to decide whether the treatments under investigation are likely to be helpful in slowing disease progression. By combining the MRI and test data it made the Octopus trial stronger and reduces the chance of missing something important.
The combined data showed that metformin did not show sufficient benefit and it was not making a difference. This arm therefore was stopped as of 15th September 2026. Visit this MS society page for more details on how MRI will help test potential treatments faster.
However, the combined data showed that Alpha Lipoic Acid showed evidence that it may have a beneficial effect on MS at this point of analysis so will continue to be tested in the second stage. This is required to find out if Alpha Lipoic Acid is effective to help people with Progressive MS.
Analysis Stage 2
During the second stage more participants are now being recruited to join the trial. At this stage, researchers are now looking at clinical data to see whether the treatments can, in fact, slow down the progression of MS.
Currently, the trial compares two treatment groups, or "arms", with one control group. New arms can also be added to the trial in the future to test other new and promising drugs.
Initially at least, the treatments tested will be repurposed treatments, meaning they are already in use for other conditions. These treatments will largely be focused on promoting the repair of damaged myelin, and the protection of nerves from damage. To learn more about how researchers are working to stop MS, visit this MS society page.
You can find more information about the trial in the Octopus Protocol (version 9.0). Please note: this document is for information only. Participants going through the recruitment process will be given the Participant Information Sheet specific to their trial site, this can be found on the Participant Information Sheet webpage.
Australia
The Australian version of Octopus is called Platypus. It is the same trial, simply under a different name. Platypus has additional funding from MSWA and MS Australia for Australian participants and started recruiting in October 2025. For more information about the trial in Australia, please visit the Platypus website.
