The 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) is taking place in Barcelona on the 24-26 September.
As a Supporting Partner of the event, Multiple Sclerosis NZ is excited to share details about the Patient Community Day taking place in Barcelona, and livestreamed.
At the Patient Community Day 2025, participants will enjoy an informative programme featuring two interactive sessions. They will explore the forefront of multiple sclerosis research and treatment, focusing on topics that have made an impact at ECTRIMS 2025 and are particularly relevant to the lives of people living with MS and related neurological conditions, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-associated Disease (MOGAD).
Being in the southern hemisphere, the time for the live stream is NZ 1am – 4am on Saturday 27th September. Early risers should register their interest here: Registration | ECTRIMS Patient Day. For our New Zealand audiences who will find that time difficult, we have been advised the event will be recorded and available by Saturday 4th October. We will share this on our channels when available.
We’ve been asked that even if you can’t attend at the live time, please register your interest. The more the organisers see interest from our NZ community, the more reason it gives them to plan future events as more reasonable times!
Opportunities
There are a range of opportunities for you to explore and consider bringing your local MS community together. We know from experience there is significant interest among the MS community to learn about advancements in the MS world.
- Register to watch online: Promote and encourage people to register for the online Patient Community Day. This is really important as the more interest there is from the southern hemisphere MS community, the more evidence this gives to hold the meetings at a more reasonable time: Registration | ECTRIMS Patient Day
- Host a Viewing Hub: Reach out to your regional MS society and see if they are hosting a Viewing Hub event or consider hosting your own. These are an opportunity to come together, to listen, learn and share.
- Join MS Auckland’s Viewing Hub online or in person: MS Auckland have excitedly locked in their Viewing Hub event. On the 11th October starting at 10am attendees can join either in person or online: ECTRIMS | Supporting Aucklanders affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Even if you aren’t in Auckland, you’re welcome to join online.
Programme
The following programme was designed in collaboration with key patient advocacy organisations and people with lived experience of MS, NMOSD and MOGAD. Their insights helped ensure that the structure and topics chosen best reflect the interest and needs of the audience.
| 15:00 – 15:10 CEST | Introduction |
| 15:10 – 16:10 CEST
1:10 – 2:10am NZST |
Session 1 will explore the newest developments in research related to MS, NMOSD and MOGAD that impact on a patient’s journey. In particular, discussions will cover the topics of diagnosis, emerging therapies, rehabilitation and lifestyle modifications. As well as this, the session will place a focus on the role that nurses play throughout these key stages in the course of the disease.
Moderator Panelists |
| 16:10 – 16:50 CEST
2.10 – 2.50am NZST |
Networking Online “Ask The Expert” (hosted by Alan Thompson, joined by Mar Tintore and Romain Marignier) |
| 16:50 – 17:50 CEST
2.50 – 3.50am NZST |
Session 2 will explore the latest advancements in multiple sclerosis research, which have been presented during the ECTRIMS 2025 conference. Topics will include biomarkers, smouldering MS, cognition, genetics, imaging, artificial intelligence, the role of infections and vaccinations.
Moderator Panelists |
| 17:50 – 18:00 CEST
3.50 – 4.00am NZST |
Closing |