MMRF Virtual Lab® Poised to Transform Data Sharing for Multiple Myeloma Research

The new platform builds on the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s long track record as the field’s leader in data sharing.

Data will drive the next breakthroughs—and cures—in multiple myeloma. But we have a data siloing problem in multiple myeloma. The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s next innovation in data sharing, MMRF Virtual Lab^®, is designed to tackle this challenge and, ultimately, accelerate cures.

Cancer research efforts are often independent and disconnected. Biopharma companies hesitate to share data that might help competitors gain an edge, while academic researchers keep data at their institutions to protect their plans to publish. The result: a lack of easily accessible, high-quality data to help researchers analyze findings, ask new questions, and design better studies that move the field forward.

“Multiple myeloma is an extremely complex disease with many subtypes, and data are really the key to unlocking that complexity and making further clinical progress,” says MMRF Chief Scientific Officer George Mulligan, PhD. “But data tend to be very spread out or limited. Broad data access, for all researchers and for testing of new tools like artificial intelligence, opens possibilities for new and faster discoveries—but not if data are restricted or behind closed doors.”

With the MMRF Virtual Lab, the Foundation is launching multiple myeloma’s largest, most-comprehensive data-sharing platform—and making its unparalleled data available to researchers all over the world. All the data the MMRF has generated through its landmark research projects past and present will be stored in this platform. Researchers will be able to harness new Immune Atlas datasets, along with the final update of the genomic and clinical data from the MMRF’s seminal CoMMpass study.

“The MMRF has a long history of sharing data. Driven by our mission to accelerate a cure for each and every multiple myeloma patient, the Foundation has always held that collaboration drives discovery,” says the MMRF’s President and CEO Michael Andreini.

The MMRF built the first multicenter tissue bank for the disease and, a few years later, led the charge to sequence multiple myeloma’s genome, sharing that data with the field. Recognizing the urgent need for new breakthroughs, the MMRF launched the CoMMpass study to link genomic data from over 1,100 patients with their clinical results after treatment. The MMRF began sharing the results with the research community in real time—not years down the road when the data was “complete.” To date, more than 3,000 researchers have tapped into our data, which has led to more than 250 discoveries.

“By crossing boundaries to generate and disseminate data, we’ve improved care and helped drug development,” Andreini says. “With the MMRF Virtual Lab, we’ll build on our incredible progress and get even closer to cures.”

The MMRF’s History of Generating and Sharing Data

2004

Built the first multicenter tissue bank to enable large-scale research efforts.

2005

Created the first clinical consortium to advance innovative treatment approaches in the highest areas of unmet need for patients.

2008

Sequenced the myeloma genome to find new targets and biomarkers.

2009

Started sharing the first myeloma genome sequencing results with the field.

2011

Launched CoMMpass to understand how genomics influence prognosis and treatment outcomes and promoted collaboration by making data publicly available.

2018

Launched the first platform drug trial in myeloma through MyDRUG™ to test the impact of several different drugs on different genetic mutations.

2019

Expanded on CoMMpass’ success and launched the Immune Atlas program to better understand how a myeloma patient’s immune system might change during disease progression and therapy.

2024

Introduced the Horizon Clinical Trials Program to test multiple novel therapy combinations to improve outcomes for myeloma patients.

2025

Now with the Launch of Virtual Lab, the MMRF is building on our years of leadership by providing the research field with multiple myeloma’s largest, most-comprehensive data-sharing platform.