Dr Nazar Sharaf is a distinguished Consultant Neurologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust in Greater Manchester and also practises as a visiting Neurologist at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury. In parallel with his clinical commitments, he serves as an Honorary Lecturer in Neurosciences at the University of Manchester, where he is actively involved in teaching, mentoring, and supporting the professional development of medical students and trainees.
Dr Sharaf graduated with honours from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman in 2000 with both a BSc and MD, before completing a PhD in Molecular Immunology at the University of Sheffield in 2006. His doctoral research explored the molecular and genetic determinants of innate and adaptive immune responses, focusing particularly on the IL-1 gene cluster — an area that continues to inform his interest in inflammatory, immunological, and neuroimmune disorders.
Following specialist training in General Medicine and General Neurology within the North Western Deanery, Dr Sharaf was appointed as a Consultant Neurologist at Salford Royal in 2014. He has published widely across basic science and clinical neurology and remains actively engaged in research, medical innovation, and postgraduate education.
Clinical and Research Expertise
Dr Sharaf manages the full spectrum of neurological disease, including headache disorders, blackouts, dizziness, epilepsy, movement disorders, tremor, balance and gait disturbance, cognitive and memory disorders, neuropathies, cerebrovascular disease, muscle disorders, myasthenia, and a wide range of other complex neurological presentations.
He also has a substantial research portfolio with a particular focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) and atypical neuroinflammatory disorders including NMOSD, neurosarcoidosis, autoimmune encephalalitis and paraneoplastic syndromes. He has played a key role in numerous national and international MS clinical trials across all clinical phases.
Major Clinical Research Involvement
Principal Investigator
Freviva – Phase 3, randomised, double-blind study evaluating frexalimab (SAR441344) vs placebo in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS.
Frexa – Phase 3, randomised, double-blind studies comparing frexalimab (SAR441344) with teriflunomide in relapsing forms of MS.
Ocarina – Phase 1b, multicentre, open-label study assessing safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics of ascending doses of a new subcutaneous ocrelizumab formulation.
ENSURE-2 – Phase 3, multi-centre, double-blind trial evaluating IMU-838 vs placebo in relapsing MS.
Fenhance – Phase 3, multicentre, double-blind study comparing fenebrutinib with teriflunomide in relapsing MS.
Liberto – Single-arm, open-label extension study assessing the long-term effectiveness and safety of ocrelizumab in patients previously enrolled in Roche-sponsored phase IIIb/IV trials.
O’HAND – Phase IIIb, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ocrelizumab in primary progressive MS.
SINAPPS-2 – Phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of IV immunoglobulins and rituximab for antibody-associated psychosis.
ENSEMBLE – Open-label, single-arm study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of ocrelizumab in early-stage relapsing–remitting MS.
Sub-Investigator / Rater
Hercules – Phase 3, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of SAR442168 in non-relapsing secondary progressive MS.
Perseus – Phase 3, randomised, double-blind study of SAR442168 vs placebo in primary progressive MS.
CAR-T (CC-97540 / BMS-986353) – Phase 1, multicentre, dose-escalation trial of CD19-targeted CAR-T therapy in relapsing and progressive MS.
ChariotMS – UK multicentre phase IIb study evaluating cladribine tablets in advanced MS (EDSS 6.5–8.5) with a focus on upper limb function preservation.
MS-STAT2 – Phase 3, randomised, double-blind trial evaluating repurposed simvastatin in secondary progressive MS to slow disability progression.
“Evidence-based care tailored to each patient — taking the time to explain options and shared decisions.”
— Dr Nazar Sharaf