CorEvitas announces SPHERES Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Registry launches precision medicine program

CorEvitas and The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation announce the SPHERES Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Registry is now complementing its real-world data with clinically annotated biospecimens, creating a unique resource to advance research and treatment for those living with the disease. 

In early May 2023, real-world data (RWD) intelligence company CorEvitas and The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation (GJCF) announced that their RWD registry on Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), the SPHERES NMSOD Registry (SPHERES stands for Synergy of Prospective Health & Experimental Research for Emerging Solutions), is commencing collection of select biospecimens from consented participants. This synergistic combination of rich RWD with precision medicine will generate a unique resource of clinically annotated biospecimens to facilitate development of improved diagnostic testing and advances in treatment options for people living with NMOSD. 

NMSOD includes several rare autoimmune diseases that target the optic nerves, spinal cord and brain, leading to vision loss, paralysis, and even death. Currently, these diseases are estimated to afflict at least 15,000 people in the US and hundreds of thousands worldwide.  

The SPHERES NMSOD Registry was started in 2021 by CorEvitas, who operate nine major autoimmune and inflammatory disease registries across the US, Canada and Japan. They did so in partnership with GJCF, who have funded clinical and basic science research aimed at understanding and treating NMOSD since 2008.  

The pivotal new precision medicine initiative will target a cohort of over 300 SPHERES Registry participants and the biospecimen collection generated will feature multiple treatment regimens, including relapse events.  

“The launch of this biospecimen initiative offers a unique approach to understanding and treating this rare disease,” asserted Austin Read, Vice President, Precision Medicine at CorEvitas. “SPHERES is the first regulatory-grade registry focused on understanding the impact of recently approved therapies on clinical outcomes, disease burden, and quality of life for patients. This information will uncover deep clinical insights to develop and optimize therapy for every patient in the future, regardless of their disease phenotype.” 

“The dedication of patients and healthcare providers to make the SPHERES Registry a success is truly remarkable. This rare synergy is advancing knowledge to directly benefit people living with NMOSD,” said Michael Yeaman, Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Chair Medical Advisor to The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. “With the addition of biospecimen collection, the SPHERES Registry now accelerates precision medicine research to optimize treatment efficacy and safety, as well as understand the underlying immunology of these conditions.”