Prof Schmidt receives grant from BAYER

Prof. Martina Schmidt of the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (GRIP) was awarded a grant of the company BAYER. The grant worth EUR 175.000 is for her research project ‘Evaluation of the P2RX4 antagonist BR11595 in experimental guinea pig models of allergen-induced acute and chronic asthma and ATP/citric acid-induced cough” conducted together with Prof. Reinoud Gosens and Dr. Loes Kistemaker.

Asthma is a common chronic lung disease, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Patients with asthma suffer from airway obstruction and reduced bronchodilation by deep breathing due to remodeling of the bronchial tree. Episodes with worsening of particularly severe asthma (so-called exacerbations), in addition to airway obstruction, are often characterized by coughing. In the current studies, we will investigate the potential of the P2X4 purinergic ion channel receptor as a novel anti-asthma drug, targeting airway obstruction and in particular cough.

Our goal is to develop in vivo cough models in guinea pigs to investigate an intervention strategy taking place when the exacerbation and the burden of coughing is maximal. By combining this with classical asthma models investigating effects on lung function, airway remodeling and airway inflammation, we aim to elucidate the potential of the novel P2RX4 antagonist in asthma and thereby contribute to improved therapy for (severe) asthma patients.

Remodeling of the bronchial tree shown with the neuronal marker PGP9.5.