One promising drug is being investigated by scientists at Queensland's Griffith University.

"It dampens down the immune system, so hopefully it will reduce the inflammation which occurs in conditions in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and other auto-immune diseases," Griffith University School of Medicine neurologist Dr Simon Broadley said.

The drug is given as an injection twice a week for three months.

"From the studies in animal models of MS, the drug has been shown to lessen the symptoms that have been experienced by the animals," Dr Broadley said.

While there are good drugs available for MS, there are some patients who do not respond to them and doctors hope this new medication might offer them some relief.

Jill McDonald was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 40.

While she is doing well on currently available drugs, she is passionate about importance of searching for new treatments.

"They will crack the code one day, they will find a cure," Ms McDonald said.

"At the moment it's giving a lot of people with MS the ability to contribute to society and their families."

Fifty patients in Queensland and South Australia will test the drug, with results expected in nine months.

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