Preclinical development of a hookworm recombinant protein for the prevention of allergic asthma Dr Severine Navarro, Preclinical Senior Research Fellow QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute The challenge 20% of Australian children aged 0 to 15 years have been diagnosed with asthma, it is a long term medical condition. Allergic diseases most commonly develop in infancy, meaning that children are exposed to life-long treatments that can cause considerable and irreversible side effects. The opportunity Allergens are encountered early in life triggering the very first allergic responses that lead to disease. We have identified a parasitic protein that helps balance the microbiome and allows the immune system to regulate properly; creating “a window of opportunity” to teach the immune system in children to tolerate allergens. The outcomes Evidence that the protein can prevent the development of allergies and attract further funding for the commercial development of the protein into the clinics. Back Connect and follow Children's Hospital Foundation
