Improving lung function trajectories from childhood to adulthood and preventing chronic respiratory diseases

Growing and maturation of the lungs occur during the first 20-25 years of life, with a peak of lung function in early adulthood. With physiological lung ageing, a progressive decline occurs, but this normal health trajectory can be affected by several host and environmental factors, especially during the first years of life. Severe and recurrent viral Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) in early childhood are a major risk factor for the development of wheezing and subsequently of asthma. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that rhinovirus (RV) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in infancy are associated with a higher risk of recurrent wheezing, asthma inception, and exacerbations. In addition, a substantial proportion of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) has its origins in childhood. Studies suggest that optimising asthma control could improve lung function development and reduce the risk of COPD later in life.

Bacterial lysates such as OM-85 (marketed under the name of Broncho-Vaxom®) have proven to be effective in decreasing the risk of recurrent RTIs and preventing asthma exacerbations in both children and adults. OM-85 modulates both the innate and adaptive immunity and is currently available orally in over 62 countries. However, despite decades of use, the nasal mucosa, the body’s primary site of respiratory immune defence, had not been explored as a direct target for OM-85 administration until recently. In addition, the role of bacterial lysates in the primary prevention of asthma has requires further investigation. Initial studies in animals show that intra-nasal administration of OM-85 suppresses allergic asthma in all models, acting on multiple immune targets.

OM Pharma is now actively seeking to join European research consortia and initiatives to respond to the call HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-03 : Advancing research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of post-infection long-term conditions.

We are looking for partners interested in generating evidence on bacterial lysates like OM-85 in the following areas:

-          Clinical efficacy and safety of bacterial lysates in adults and children in preventing asthma exacerbations or RTIs, respectively

-          Identify relevant biomarkers and develop methodologies (incl. new non invasive/PoC diagnostic devices) to monitor disease status, progression, and treatment efficacy

-          Patients’ and care-givers’ values and preferences regarding prevention of asthma and atopic diseases;

-          Public health impact of innovative prevention interventions such as OM-85 on the burden of Asthma and other chronic lung diseases in different populations, the utilisation of health-care resources and societal burden