Case Study - Knowledge Transfer Partnership with GlaxoSmithKline on Eczema Research
Sector: Healthcare
A research project is underway that could lead to the development of a drug treatment to relieve the suffering of people with eczema.
It involves collaboration between Newcastle University Medical School and pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
A decade long partnership between the university’s dermatology department and a company called Stiefel – part of GSK since a takeover in 2009 – has led to a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) to carry out the project.
Professor of dermatology Nick Reynolds explained that eczema is caused by a genetic defect that reduces the protective barrier of the skin against allergens such as animal fur and dust mites.
Through genetic manipulation scientists are able to produce skin cultures that mimic the barrier defect in eczema. The project involves research to find a treatment that can restore the protective barrier of diseased skin and combat eczema as a result.
The focus will be on identifying protein molecules likely to be involved in regulating the barrier, testing for a particular “pathway” to compensate for the genetic defect. This could lead to an eventual drug therapy being made widely available.
A research associate, under the guidance of Professor Reynolds, will liaise between the university and GSK during the two-year project and will supervise a technician doing laboratory work.
“This is an exciting project based on a real partnership with GSK,” he said. “Initiatives such as KTPs are built on important relationships between industry and universities, sharing knowledge and expertise.
“Supporting and enhancing relationships between companies and universities to achieve key outcomes according to my understanding, fulfils some of the key aims of Newcastle Science City.”
