From News Desk
Asthma Canada and the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) have announced the recipients of the 2025 Research Grants for Asthma Innovation & Impact. Providing up to USD 150,000 to drive cutting-edge discoveries, these research grants have been awarded to Dr. Anne Ellis of Queen’s University and Dr Harissios Vliagoftis of the University of Alberta.
The goal of these grants is to drive innovation in asthma research, spark new treatments, improve quality of life for people with asthma and strengthen the link between research and patient care.
“Asthma research has been neglected and underfunded for years,” said Jeffrey Beach, President & CEO of Asthma Canada. “These research grants are a key component of Asthma Canada’s five-year strategy to accelerate research breakthroughs and help improve the lives of the 4.8 million people in Canada living with asthma.”
“This is an important milestone for asthma research in Canada,” said Dr Susan Waserman, President, CAAIF. “However, we must build on this momentum. Continued investment in research is essential to expand on this success and improve outcomes for people living with asthma.”
Allergic rhinitis affects up to 80% of people with asthma, and both conditions are linked to high levels of TSLP, an immune-activating protein. Dr. Ellis’s study will test whether tezepelumab, which blocks TSLP, can reduce nasal symptoms and inflammation in people with both asthma and allergic rhinitis. This work bridges basic immunology and clinical research, advancing Canada’s leadership in translational allergy research and providing critical insights to guide future clinical trial design in this population.
Asthma involves lung inflammation driven by immune cells such as eosinophils. Dr Vliagoftis’s study will investigate the role of monocytes, which may be the first cells to arrive in the lungs during asthma flare-ups and recruit eosinophils, with the goal of identifying ways to block their accumulation and develop new treatments.
“The Department of Medicine values partnerships with organizations like Asthma Canada that champion the advancement of respiratory health research. This grant strengthens our shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by asthma,” said Dr. Narmin Kassam, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine, University of Alberta.
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