Ludwig Kappos, MD, Awarded 2026 John Dystel Prize for MS Research, to Present at AAN 2026
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Ludwig Kappos, MD, was awarded the 2026 John Dystel Prize for his contributions to MS research and therapy development.
- Dr. Kappos’s work has helped shaped modern MS clinical trials, imaging use, and the field’s understanding of disease progression.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) have awarded Ludwig Kappos, MD, the 2026 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research, recognizing his decades-long contributions to advancing multiple sclerosis (MS) therapeutics, clinical trial methodology, and disease characterization. Dr. Kappos will deliver the Dystel Prize lecture and formally receive the award at the AAN 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on April 19, 2026.
Dr. Kappos is emeritus Professor of Neurology at University Hospital Basel and CEO of the Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB; Basel, Switzerland). Over the course of his career, he has played a central role in the development and evaluation of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS, contributing to clinical trials that established the safety and efficacy of many currently approved treatments. His work has also helped advance key outcome measures used in MS research, including standardized applications of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), as well as the integration of MRI into clinical trials and routine disease monitoring.
In addition to therapeutic development, Dr. Kappos has contributed to evolving concepts of MS disease progression. His research has helped define progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), highlighting that disability accumulation may occur even in the absence of clinical relapses. This work has influenced how clinicians and researchers conceptualize disease activity and progression across MS phenotypes.
The John Dystel Prize, established in 1994, is jointly awarded by the National MS Society and the AAN and is considered one of the field’s highest honors. It recognizes outstanding contributions to research that advance the understanding, prevention, treatment, or cure of MS.
Source
National Multiple Sclerosis Society. John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research awarded to Dr. Ludwig Kappos for his transformative contributions to MS research. Published March 19, 2026. Accessed April 16, 2026. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/2026-dystel-prize-winner