This year's conference focused on the current situation in the development and implementation of clinical studies on rare allergies in particular, as well as possibilities for improvement in this area. "In the study of allergies, we find many rare sub-forms of allergies as well as rare allergens", says Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h. c. Torsten Zuberbier, Secretary General of GA²LEN. "Because they are so rare, gathering information on these allergies through medical studies can be very challenging. The available treatment options often do not adequately address these small groups", continues Zuberbier. "The conference is intended to bring us a significant step further in the development of relevant clinical studies. We want to make progress in the treatment of rare allergies." One emphasis of the conference was the development of an improved definition of outcome parameters for clinical studies.

The parameters should also be able to take into account individual results from allergy sub-phenotypes. Leading experts from research and academics, representatives of the EMA (European Medicines Agency), patient organisations and industry representatives discussed the possibilities for improvement in clinical studies. The international guest speakers included Prof. Guido Rasi, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA); Lars Jacobsen, European Allergen Manufacturers Group (EMG); Prof. Sergio Bonini, CNR Rome; Prof. Bruce Zuraw, University of San Diego and Dr. Anna Simon, Raboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre.

more details at www.ga2len.net