Ground-breaking research for asthma sufferers

In the region of half a million UK asthma sufferers could benefit from a revolutionary new treatment that could dramatically reduce the complications caused by common cold viral infections*. It is the first time a treatment has been found to work on this, the risk most commonly associated with of asthma hospitalisations. In this trial conducted by Synairgen, the inhaled drug (SNG001) significantly reduced asthma symptoms during the critical first week of infection and reduced the number of exacerbations.

Leanne Metcalf, Assistant Director of Research at Asthma UK, says: 'This has the potential to be one of the biggest breakthroughs in asthma treatments in the past 20 years. We are incredibly excited by the possibilities this research could bring to reduce hospital admissions and deaths as a result of asthma attacks. Over 80% of asthma attacks are triggered by cold and flu viruses, and until now we haven't had any effective treatments that can stop this from happening. This clinical trial demonstrates the potential of this anti-viral drug to prevent asthma attacks for thousands of people with severe asthma. We are incredibly proud to have played a part in the realisation of this research programme which should benefit people with asthma in a really significant way.'

*Finding show that the treatment is not dependent upon the type of virus.