John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research awarded to Dr. Ludwig Kappos for his transformative contributions to MS research
Ludwig Kappos, MD, a leading physician-scientist at the University Hospital Basel in Basel, Switzerland has been awarded the 2026 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research – one of the field’s highest honors. Dr. Kappos serves as director of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel and has played a central role in advancing MS research and treatment over the past several decades.
Dr. Kappos will deliver the Dystel Prize lecture and formally receive the award at the American Academy of Neurology 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois on April 19, 2026.
Dr. Kappos was nominated by several leaders in MS research – including Amit Bar-Or, MD, Stephen Hauser, MD, and Xavier Montalban, MD, PhD – all previous recipients of the Dystel Prize.
Speaking of Dr. Kappos’ work, Dr. Bar-Or commented,
“Professor Kappos has made enormous contributions to the field of MS. He has had profound impact on the science of clinical trial conduct, outcome measures and interpretation and has provided essential clinical and academic perspectives that have helped guide the development of multiple now-approved MS therapies. In addition, the remarkable MS program he has built in Basel is world-leading and sets the bar for how to merge cutting edge imaging and biomarker science with comprehensive clinical evaluations to meaningfully investigate and improve the care of individuals living with MS.”
Bruce Bebo, PhD, Chief Research and Medical Affairs Officer at the National MS Society added, “Dr. Kappos is one of the most influential leaders in modern MS research. His work has helped shape how we design clinical trials, evaluate new therapies, and ultimately care for people living with MS. Few individuals have had such a broad and lasting impact on the field.”
Among Dr. Kappos’ many accomplishments:
Dr. Kappos has played a pivotal role in clinical trials establishing the safety and effectiveness of nearly all disease-modifying therapies that have transformed how MS is treated. These therapies represented major advances at the time they were introduced, offering stronger control of disease activity, new treatment options such as oral medications, and in some cases the first treatments to show benefit in people with progressive forms of MS. Dr. Kappos has also made important contributions to how researchers measure disability and disease activity in MS. He helped establish well standardized versions of John Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Neurostatus-EDSS, the most widely used tool for measuring neurological impairment and disability in MS clinical trials. He also helped establish brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a central tool for evaluating new treatments and monitoring disease activity in clinical trials and standard clinical care. In recent years, Dr. Kappos and colleagues have helped advance our understanding of a key driver of disability in MS known as progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA). His work showed that across traditional disease course definitions, many people with MS accumulate disability in the absence of relapses, highlighting a previously not realized disease process and reshaping how researchers think about MS progression. Additionally, Dr. Kappos continues to lead international collaborations and train the next generation of MS researchers who will advance the field and improve care for people living with MS.
Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Kappos commented,
“Receiving the Dystel Prize is a very special highlight of a long journey that has been successful and rewarding because of the joint efforts of many highly esteemed colleagues in Basel and internationally. The prize is a strong motivator for our group to continue and expand on innovative and productive collaborations across disciplines and borders in the best interest of people with MS and other neuroimmune diseases."
Biosketch: Ludwig Kappos, MD, is emeritus Professor of Neurology at the University Hospital Basel and CEO of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB) in Basel, Switzerland. He earned his medical degree and master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Würzburg in Würzburg, Germany. He completed his neurology training at University of Würzburg and in 1982 joined the newly established interdisciplinary MS Research Group of the Max-Planck Society in Würzburg. In 1990 he was elected Head of the Outpatient Clinic and deputy chief of Neurology at the University Hospital Basel and in 2008 Chair of Neurology at the University of Basel. Throughout his career, he has authored over 850 peer-reviewed publications and mentored over 15 clinician scientists who continue to lead research and care for MS and other neurological diseases across the globe. His excellence in MS research is highlighted by previous receipt of other distinguished awards, most recently the 2025 Charcot Award from the MS International Federation, which recognizes a lifetime of achievement in MS research.
About the John Dystel Prize for MS Research: The Dystel Prize is awarded jointly by the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology. It was established in 1994 by former Society National Board member, the late Oscar Dystel, and his late wife, Marion Dystel, in honor of their son, John Jay, an attorney whose promising career was cut short by progressive disability from MS. John died of complications of the disease in June 2003. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to research that have led to breakthroughs in the understanding, prevention, treatment, or cure of multiple sclerosis. about previous Dystel Prize winners.
Dr. Kappos will deliver the Dystel Prize lecture and formally receive the award at the American Academy of Neurology 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois on April 19, 2026.
Dr. Kappos was nominated by several leaders in MS research – including Amit Bar-Or, MD, Stephen Hauser, MD, and Xavier Montalban, MD, PhD – all previous recipients of the Dystel Prize.
Speaking of Dr. Kappos’ work, Dr. Bar-Or commented,
“Professor Kappos has made enormous contributions to the field of MS. He has had profound impact on the science of clinical trial conduct, outcome measures and interpretation and has provided essential clinical and academic perspectives that have helped guide the development of multiple now-approved MS therapies. In addition, the remarkable MS program he has built in Basel is world-leading and sets the bar for how to merge cutting edge imaging and biomarker science with comprehensive clinical evaluations to meaningfully investigate and improve the care of individuals living with MS.”
Bruce Bebo, PhD, Chief Research and Medical Affairs Officer at the National MS Society added, “Dr. Kappos is one of the most influential leaders in modern MS research. His work has helped shape how we design clinical trials, evaluate new therapies, and ultimately care for people living with MS. Few individuals have had such a broad and lasting impact on the field.”
Among Dr. Kappos’ many accomplishments:
Dr. Kappos has played a pivotal role in clinical trials establishing the safety and effectiveness of nearly all disease-modifying therapies that have transformed how MS is treated. These therapies represented major advances at the time they were introduced, offering stronger control of disease activity, new treatment options such as oral medications, and in some cases the first treatments to show benefit in people with progressive forms of MS. Dr. Kappos has also made important contributions to how researchers measure disability and disease activity in MS. He helped establish well standardized versions of John Kurtzke’s Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Neurostatus-EDSS, the most widely used tool for measuring neurological impairment and disability in MS clinical trials. He also helped establish brain scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a central tool for evaluating new treatments and monitoring disease activity in clinical trials and standard clinical care. In recent years, Dr. Kappos and colleagues have helped advance our understanding of a key driver of disability in MS known as progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA). His work showed that across traditional disease course definitions, many people with MS accumulate disability in the absence of relapses, highlighting a previously not realized disease process and reshaping how researchers think about MS progression. Additionally, Dr. Kappos continues to lead international collaborations and train the next generation of MS researchers who will advance the field and improve care for people living with MS.
Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Kappos commented,
“Receiving the Dystel Prize is a very special highlight of a long journey that has been successful and rewarding because of the joint efforts of many highly esteemed colleagues in Basel and internationally. The prize is a strong motivator for our group to continue and expand on innovative and productive collaborations across disciplines and borders in the best interest of people with MS and other neuroimmune diseases."
Biosketch: Ludwig Kappos, MD, is emeritus Professor of Neurology at the University Hospital Basel and CEO of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB) in Basel, Switzerland. He earned his medical degree and master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Würzburg in Würzburg, Germany. He completed his neurology training at University of Würzburg and in 1982 joined the newly established interdisciplinary MS Research Group of the Max-Planck Society in Würzburg. In 1990 he was elected Head of the Outpatient Clinic and deputy chief of Neurology at the University Hospital Basel and in 2008 Chair of Neurology at the University of Basel. Throughout his career, he has authored over 850 peer-reviewed publications and mentored over 15 clinician scientists who continue to lead research and care for MS and other neurological diseases across the globe. His excellence in MS research is highlighted by previous receipt of other distinguished awards, most recently the 2025 Charcot Award from the MS International Federation, which recognizes a lifetime of achievement in MS research.
About the John Dystel Prize for MS Research: The Dystel Prize is awarded jointly by the National MS Society and the American Academy of Neurology. It was established in 1994 by former Society National Board member, the late Oscar Dystel, and his late wife, Marion Dystel, in honor of their son, John Jay, an attorney whose promising career was cut short by progressive disability from MS. John died of complications of the disease in June 2003. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to research that have led to breakthroughs in the understanding, prevention, treatment, or cure of multiple sclerosis. about previous Dystel Prize winners.
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About Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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