A key part of future success is working closely with the medical community and patient groups. A critical area where we are collaborating with the clinical community is in advancing the understanding of personalised approaches in asthma and COPD, including treatable traits and how these could be applied to clinical care in the future. This approach considers the underlying traits which are unique to the individual, such as lifestyle, disease characteristics, comorbidities and disease markers.

Data shows that the identification and management of specific treatable traits could support the improved management of exacerbations and flare-ups in conditions including COPD. For asthma and COPD, some treatable traits are associated with a significantly increased risk of exacerbations and can provide direction towards the best management plan for that individual. Alongside scientists, we firmly believe that targeting these traits can help tailor treatment to each person’s specific needs and potentially improve outcomes. It is about treating each patient on an individual basis rather than always treating one condition in the same way, ensuring that the right patient receives the right treatment at the right time.

Beyond treatable traits, eosinophil-driven diseases are another area of focus for GSK research and have been for over 25 years now. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that form an important part of our immune system. They play a key role in maintaining good health in the body and help to protect us against infection. However, in some people, increased levels of eosinophils can lead to inflammation in vital organs and tissues, including the lungs which causes the airways to narrow and makes it difficult to breathe.

This specialist area of work includes looking further at severe eosinophilic asthma and investigating how more targeted treatment options could potentially help patients better control their condition. Around 10% of all asthma patients suffer from the avoidable symptoms of severe eosinophilic asthma, but only one in four patients who are eligible for a biologic therapy currently receive one. This is why we are continuing to build on our strong body of research as we work with medical experts on areas where the science is evolving to support those affected by asthma and COPD.

Eosinophil-driven diseases are a really important, interesting and complex area of research due to the variety of ways that eosinophils can affect different organs and parts of the body. For example, eosinophils play a role and have an impact on diseases such as hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), nasal polyps and COPD with an eosinophilic phenotype. We know that if we can fully define the role of eosinophils we can help a range of patients who currently have limited options.

It goes without saying that the last 18 months have required an ability to adapt and respond to meet the new pressures which have been placed on everyone. Our vaccine data, in collaboration with Sanofi, is looking promising and our research into therapeutic solutions could add to the armamentarium against COVID-19, to help those who are acutely unwell. While we have been agile in our approach to COVID-19, we have not been distracted from the needs of other respiratory patients. Throughout the pandemic we have ensured that COPD and asthma patients have been able to access the medicines they need; our supply chain teams have been working tirelessly to navigate lockdowns globally, so that vital medicines needed to control disease reach patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also meant our approach to interactions with healthcare professionals has needed to evolve. We have asked clinicians how they want to collaborate and what support we can provide. Through this two-way dialogue, we have been able to listen and take that feedback on board.

We are now finding ways to connect with healthcare professionals via digital solutions to ensure we can continue to have a strong connection with the clinical community and provide them with resources and educational assets, where needed.

If we consider COPD, prior to the pandemic we were committed to helping patients manage their symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary hospitalisation due to avoidable exacerbations, and this remains a focus of our attention. However, as the world emerges from the pandemic at different rates, we ask ourselves how we are best placed to use our expertise to support respiratory patients and healthcare professionals, mindful that the clinical landscape has changed and is littered with new challenges.

While significant progress has been made, the challenges of respiratory medicine have not been solved. If anything, we probably face a greater unmet need in the coming years. I have a personal connection to respiratory, with a loved one living with COPD. This is a huge motivator for me, with each day presenting a new opportunity to make a difference for patients. Patients want to be symptom-free today, live their best life today, and I want that too, but I’m also resolute on the need to drive innovation for the future of respiratory medicine.