AstraZeneca has formed a research pact for to advance epigentics for developing drugs to treat respiratory diseases with three UK-based research organizations.

The partnership brings together AstraZeneca, Asthma UK, the British Lung Foundation, and MRC Technology to investigate the link between epigenetics and respiratory disease. Epigenetics are changes in the expression of genes, which could be attributed to lifestyle and other external factors affecting the body. Epigenetics do not change the DNA sequence. Until now epigenetics research has mostly focused on cancer, but it presents a promising avenue for respiratory research which, it is hoped, will help speed up the delivery of new treatments.

The collaboration is combining resources and expertise in drug discovery and clinical development, funding, and access to research networks and patient groups to enable earl- stage scientific research to be translated into potential new therapies for respiratory diseases. The collaboration is calling on researchers to join them to accelerate epigenetic respiratory research, particularly into asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Source: MRC Technology