Respiratory, immunology and inflammation
We are pushing the frontiers of respiratory science and harnessing the science of the immune system to transform patient outcomes in areas of unmet need, based on decades of innovative research.
Advancing respiratory and immunology medicine
For over five decades, we have been at the forefront of the most complex respiratory health challenges. We have a deep understanding of the underlying drivers of disease in different groups of patients with conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our ambition is to redefine the future of respiratory medicine with a broad portfolio of next-generation treatments that work in distinct ways to help as many patients as possible. We continue to pursue the most ambitious treatment goals, aiming for early interventions that prevent, treat and stop disease, limiting future complications for patients.
Our deep understanding of the immune system is also leading to advances in our growing immunology pipeline. Here, we’re building on our decades of knowledge in inflammatory mechanisms to target fibrotic lung, liver and kidney disease.
Type 2 inflammation
For more than 25 years we have been combining our deep understanding of respiratory disease with our work in immunology. Type 2 inflammatory conditions encompass a range of diseases including asthma, COPD and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Our leading research into type 2 inflammation continues to advance thinking about personalised approaches to the treatment needs of patients with respiratory conditions.
Our research aims to redefine respiratory care and achieve ambitious new treatment goals across these conditions going beyond optimal management of daily symptoms to modify the course of disease. This could slow or prevent disease progression, reduce the risk of organ damage and in some conditions help more people achieve the ambitious treatment goal of clinical remission.
Asthma and COPD
With an industry-leading portfolio of inhaled medicines and targeted biologics and vaccines we are focused on improving outcomes and the lives of millions of people living with respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. We are working to keep people safe from infections and prevent diseases from getting worse. We also focus on providing relief for symptoms to help improve people's well-being and live a full life.
We continue to build on decades of pioneering work to deliver more ambitious treatment goals for people with respiratory diseases, working with patients and medical experts to develop the next generation standard of care and redefine the future of respiratory medicine.
Remission could be possible for people with severe asthma, giving them a new outlook on life
Refractory chronic cough
Approximately 28 million people suffer from chronic cough, with about 10 million worldwide suffering from refractory chronic cough (RCC). RCC is a cough that persists for more than eight weeks and doesn’t respond to treatment for an underlying condition or is otherwise unexplained.
Our ongoing research is focused on targeting certain receptors in the body with the aim of identifying approaches that could help reduce cough frequency in people living with RCC and potentially improve quality of life.
Low-carbon inhalers
Metered dose inhalers (MDI) are a cornerstone of asthma treatment for millions of patients, but the propellent used in traditional MDIs also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising the environmental impact, we are researching the use of a lower global warming potential propellant to create a low-carbon inhaler. If successful, this will advance our commitment to reduce our inhaler carbon footprint by approximately 90%.
Immunology and inflammation
We’re driving innovation across immune-mediated conditions by combining deep expertise in immunology and inflammatory mechanisms supported by our in-house proprietary data and platform technologies. This integrated approach is unlocking new opportunities to understand disease biology, identify novel targets and match the right treatments to the right patients. This includes liver, lung and kidney disease.
Lupus
For more than 10 years, we have been advancing the scientific understanding and management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) a chronic autoimmune disease, as well as lupus nephritis, the kidney inflammation caused by lupus. Through our research, we are aiming to help prevent avoidable organ damage, modify the course of disease and improve long-term outcomes for those affected by lupus.
Our research extends beyond lupus. We are exploring how targeted inhibition could improve outcomes and address the unmet needs of people with a range of B-cell (a type of white blood cell) mediated immune conditions like systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and other connective tissue diseases.
What if remission were the target of lupus care?
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a major health issue affecting more than 250 million people across the world. Yet the WHO estimates only 13% of those living with the virus have received a diagnosis. Almost a million people die each year from hepatitis B and related complications, including liver cancer.
At GSK, we’ve been committed to hepatitis B research for more than 35 years, drawing on our deep expertise in infectious diseases, immunology, and human genetics. Our work has helped to advance scientific understanding of the complex and varied nature of hepatitis B infections—insights that are shaping future approaches to care.
Our research is focused on reducing the need for continued therapy, with the ultimate goal of lowering the long-term risk of liver-related complications for people living with hepatitis B.
