Fraunhofer ITEM provides contract research on all aspects of human health. Research on airway diseases has been carried out at the Fraunhofer ITEM for over 10 years. The team of doctors, scientists, medical assistants and documentalists studies the origin and possible treatment of airway diseases. Particular importance is placed on allergic diseases, bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD).

As an independent research institute, the Fraunhofer ITEM carries out clinical drug studies for the pharmaceutical industry with voluntary probands. Furthermore, research is performed on the influence of external factors on airway diseases, for example climate, allergens, dust and nanoparticles. With the new study center for early clinical studies – the CRC Hannover (Clinical Research Center Hannover) –, scheduled to be operational at the end of 2013, excellent conditions for translational research will then also be available.

Together with the Departments of Respiratory Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Dermatology and Biometry at Hannover Medical School, as well as the Hannover Clinical Trial Center (HCTC), the researchers study the developmental mechanisms of allergies and airway diseases.