GA2LEN - Global Allergy And Asthma European Network - Press Conference & Plenary Session - Media Invitation

WHAT?
Press Conference (10:00-11:00), followed by session "Allergy throughout life - GA2LEN in action"(11:00-13:30)

WHEN?
31 March 2006 - Press Conference (10.00-11.00), Session "Allergy throughout life - GA2LEN in action" (11.00-13.30)

WHERE?
Palais am Funkturm, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Germany

GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) is a EU-funded network of excellence, bringing together epidemiological and clinical researchers who investigate allergy and asthma across the life stages. Launched as a Network of Excellence of 25 leading European teams as well as the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patientsґ Associations (EFA) on February 2004, a total budget of EUR 14.4 million for a five-year period has been allocated from the EU's Sixth Research Framework Programme for GA2LEN activities. The collaboration project reflects recognition of growing concern among European citizens about rising rates of allergy and asthma.

GA2LEN started its work with the clear intention to establish a world-wide competitive network of European centres of excellence in order to enhance the quality and relevance of research in the area of allergy and to address allergy and asthma in their totality. The network focuses its research programme on developing new ways of preventing and managing allergies and asthma. In the long term, GA2LEN aims also to decrease the socioeconomic burden of allergy and asthma in Europe. Allergic diseases are estimated to cost Europe 25 billion euros annually, with most of the costs due to reduced productivity in school or at work.

The audience of the "special event" on Friday 31 March will learn about progress made in the second year of GA2LEN existence. Research issues are examined in relation to their influences within the various age groups. Special attention is given to the fact that allergic diseases and asthma often start early in life and especially in the development of immunoglobulin E antibody (IgE) mediated allergic diseases, like hay fever and asthma, it is important not only to understand genetics but also pre-natal factors that could have an importance.

GA2LEN Annual Conference, Friday, 31 March 2006
Conference programme

10:00-11:00 Press Conference

Speakers:

- Prof. Dr. med. Torsten Zuberbier, Head of Allergy Centre Charitй (Dept. of Dermatology and Allergy), Head of the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF); Secretary General of GA2LEN

- Prof. Dr. med Paul van Cauwenberge, Rector of University of Gent, Belgium, Coordinator of GA2LEN

- Prof. Dr. med. Peter Burney, Professor of Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health, Vice Chairman for Research of GA2LEN, Imperial College, London, UK

- Dr. Christian Patermann, Director for biotechnology, agriculture and food research at the European Commission, Brussels, BE

11:00- 13:30 Session 'Allergy throughout life - GALEN in action' Chair: Paul van Cauwenberge, GALEN Coordinator
Co-Chairs: Jean Bousquet, GALEN Vice Chairperson - Ana Nieto, EC Scientific Officer

11: 00 Welcome, Paul van Cauwenberge, GALEN Coordinator

11:05 Pre-Natal influences, John Warner, United Kingdom

11:30 Childhood environments, Erika von Mutius, Germany

11:50 Triggers for symptoms, Marianne van Hage, Sweden

12:10 The future of the allergy epidemic and its consequences, Peter Burney, United Kingdom

12:30 Improving care for allergic patients, Inger Kull, Sweden

12:50 What patients want from a network of excellence, Marianella Salapatas, EFA (European Federation of Asthma and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations)

13:10 EU future programmes in Allergy and Asthma, Christian Patermann, Director, European Commission

Questions and answers - Lunch

Michael H. Wappelhorst,
Press and information officer, Research DG, European Commission
E-mail: Michael.Wappelhorst@cec.eu.int.

Spokesperson for Science and Research
Antonia Mochan,
Press and Communication DG, European Commission
E-mail Antonia.Mochan@cec.eu.int

europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/press.cfm