Psoriasis and cardiovascular co-morbidity – funding of an overview committee
Grantee: Professor Christopher Griffiths, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester
Amount: DKK 900,000
Grant category: Research Grants in open competition
Year: 2012
Geography: United Kingdom
The background to this project – establishing and operating a multidisciplinary international scientific committee on psoriasis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) – is the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and related mortality amongst psoriasis patients.
Research investigating the interface between the two conditions – from epidemiological studies to basic experimental research – may prove key to improving the overall care of psoriasis patients.
Chaired by Professor Christopher Griffiths from the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences at the University of Manchester in the UK, the committee consists of three dermatologists and three cardiologists, with at least one of each based in the USA.
The committee’s work focuses on:
- How scientific understanding can be improved through new research initiatives
- Building a consensus on biomarkers in research
- The potential relationships between biomarkers and clinical results and the benefits for patients
- Areas of particular interest for further research
- Investigation of cardiovascular side-effects in clinical development projects
The LEO Foundation Award 2008 – Silver Award
Grantee: Dr. William Agace
Amount: DKK 500,000
Grant category: LEO Foundation Awards
Year: 2008
Geography: United Kingdom
Presented to British researcher William Agace. Agace and his research team investigated the underlying control mechanisms for the processes behind the generation and movement of lymphocytes in the intestines, and identified the factors that determine which are activated and where they go in the intestinal system.
Insight gained from William Agace’s research will enable new and more targeted therapies for ailments such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease, a serious disorder with only limited treatment options available today. William Agace earned his MSc at Bristol University in microbiology, and his PhD in immunology from Lund University. In the late 1990’s, he spent three years as a postdoc at Harvard Medical School. In 2006, he was appointed professor of experimental medical research and head of the immunology section at Lund University. He has published more than 35 original articles and several book chapters.