Scientists Receive £4.3 Million For Pioneering Asthma And Allergy-Prevention Research, London

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Also Included In: Allergy
Article Date: 30 Jun 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Researchers at St George's, University of London have been awarded £4.3 million by the Wellcome Trust for the development of a unique new class of drugs to target the root cause of asthma and allergies. The new Allergen Delivery Inhibitors may be superior to existing medicines, which mainly relieve symptoms.

The research team, led by Professor Clive Robinson, has identified novel, drug-like chemical compounds that combat asthma and allergic diseases of the nose, eyes and skin.

Asthma and allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis and dermatitis are an escalating problem expected to affect more than 100 million people globally by 2011. In the UK, 5.2 million adults and 1.1 million children currently receive treatment for asthma, creating a significant social and healthcare burden for the NHS.

The Allergen Delivery Inhibitors being developed by Professor Robinson and his team target allergens excreted by dust mites, tiny creatures that live in the carpets and soft furnishings of homes, offices, trains, planes and cars. The development of Allergen Delivery Inhibitors is intended to provide relief to people with an established allergy caused by dust mites and, potentially, to prevent the development of allergic disease in others. St George's is the hub of the programme and will develop a drug for clinical trials in the next few years. The team, which includes colleagues from the University of Manchester, will work with pharmaceutical research and development contractors worldwide to carry out this groundbreaking work.

This latest award comes from the Seeding Drug Discovery initiative, and follows more than £1 million of Wellcome Trust support for the programme since 2005.

St George's, University of London is dedicated to promoting by excellence in teaching, clinical practice and research, the prevention, treatment and understanding of disease. The college is recognised globally for the quality of its research, with a high reputation in areas such as infection, diseases of the heart and circulation, cell signalling and epidemiology. Other areas of expertise include genetics, health and social care sciences and mental health. The college provides training to a full range of more than 2,600 healthcare and sciences students on one site. It offers courses in medicine and biomedical sciences, as well as midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography and social work in conjunction with Kingston University.

St George's Centre for Enterprise and Innovation facilitates collaborations with both the public and private sector and promotes the development of innovative ideas and technologies. This includes forming academic and commercial partnerships, aiding contract research, offering technologies for license and providing expert consultancy and clinical trials activity.

Source
The Wellcome Trust