Backgrounder

Download AllerGen's Media Backgrounder.

For more information about AllerGen or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jordan Moore,
Manager, Communications
Telephone: 905-525-9140 ext. 26641
jmoore@mcmaster.ca

Why was AllerGen created?

Prior to the creation of AllerGen, Canada's allergic and immune disease research community was primarily comprised of geographically dispersed individuals or small teams working in the context of more generalized mandates (e.g. respiratory health, immunity), in isolation from the broader community. While there are many public and professional groups dedicated to patient advocacy, information dissemination and some degree of research funding and fundraising (e.g. Anaphylaxis Canada, Asthma Society, Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, etc.), Canada lacked a unifying force to drive research in this area and as a result the public were under-served.

When was AllerGen created?

The Network was officially incorporated on November 24, 2004.

What does AllerGen do?

AllerGen connects and leverages the efforts of allergy and asthma researchers across the country with the common goal of identifying new diagnostic tests, better medications and more effective public policies for Canadians suffering from allergic diseases.

AllerGen does this by:

funding and supporting research;
hosting annual conferences and workshops to share knowledge and provide cross-sectoral, cross-discipline and national networking opportunities;
supporting and encouraging Network participants to host such events; and
providing opportunities for collaboration with internationally renowned researchers.

Where does AllerGen's funding come from?

The network is funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Directorate through Industry Canada, as part of the federal government policy of supporting scientific development and innovation leading to economic growth and benefits to society. For more information about the NCE, please visit their website at http://www.nce.gc.ca/

How much funding does AllerGen receive?

AllerGen received seed funding of just over $5 million annually from the NCE for the period April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2009. In 2008 AllerGen was successful in its NCE Mid-term Review and a result has received secured funding for a further three years through to March 31, 2012. There is also the possibility for receiving funding for another seven years.

What does AllerGen do with its funding?

AllerGen's first round of funding was granted to researchers in March of 2005. These monies were used to support 29 individual research projects grouped into three programmatic and five thematic areas that support AllerGen's goals.

In March 2007, after further integration of research across AllerGen's three programmes of enquiry, the second round of funding supports 22 projects.

Also, AllerGen hosts and supports workshops, conferences and other events designed to encourage networking, collaboration and to promote scientific development.

How is AllerGen's Research Programme Structured?

AllerGen's research is broken down into three over-arching programmes.

Programme A Gene-Environment Interactions

Strategic Focus: Genetics, environmental exposures, and gene-environment interactions in allergy and asthma

Programme B Diagnostics & Therapeutics

Strategic Focus: Biomarkers, immune monitoring and drug development/discovery

Programme C Public Health, Ethics, Policy & Society

Strategic Focus: Allergic disease management and surveillance

In addition, four cross-programmatic, multidisciplinary research thrusts fostered by AllerGen since 2005 are continuing research investment priorities for 2009-2012.

Cross-programmatic Research teams in priority areas:

Established Cross-programmatic Teams

The Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) Study

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis

Emerging Cross-programmatic Teams

Mind-Body Interactions and Allergic Disease

Occupational and Work-related Allergy and Asthma