A $10.08-M partnership grant makes Sherbrooke the focal point of an international clinical trial on asthma

The Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS), the CIUSSS de l'Estrie – CHUS, and their top-tier international partners have announced that they are launching a world-class clinical study on an innovative medical approach to treat moderate asthma. Thanks to funding of $10.08 million from the biopharmaceutical company Sanofi and its partner Regeneron, this initiative is harnessing the expertise of not only UdeS but also the University of Oxford and the Institute for Respiratory Health . This clinical trial was built on expertise developed at the Centre de recherche du CHUS (CRCHUS), which is centrally coordinating the study, overseeing patient follow-up, and deploying most of the project's logistics. The goal of the trial is to transform the treatment of moderate asthma, a disease that afflicts over 300 million people around the world.

An international clinical trial that aims to put moderate asthma in remission

This trial will evaluate an anti-inflammatory called dupilumab (Dupixent®). Developed by Sanofi and Regeneron, this drug has already been approved by Health Canada and has the therapeutic potential to change the lives of so many people. The goal is to recruit 150 patients (50 in the United Kingdom, 50 in Australia and 50 in Quebec), including patients at the CIUSSS de l'Estrie – CHUS under the care of research professor Simon Couillard to see if their asthma can be induced into remission. While only 30% of severe-asthma patients who receive biologics experience remission, researchers hope that their strategy of treating moderate- to high-risk asthma cases early and proactively will raise this proportion to 50%.

Cementing Sherbrooke's leadership

UdeS is acting as the principal sponsor of this multicentre clinical trial that is supported by the CIUSSS de l'Estrie–CHUS. This unique synergy has created an exceptional environment for large-scale trials and positions Sherbrooke as an innovation hub for clinical research. This collaboration with international and major Canadian centres also underscores the scientific credibility and reputation of the Sherbrooke ecosystem.

The study's results will cement what the UdeS Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) does best: hone precision medicine that meets the right need for the right patient. The main study will also produce a wealth of data, samples, and results to explore other research avenues and continue pushing the boundaries of our understanding of this major disease. The clinical trial will therefore have impacts in both the medium and long term.

A game-changing strategic partnership

Starting from the initial idea to the optimization and execution of the clinical trial protocol, this major project has been an exemplary scientific, operational, and strategic partnership that represents an innovative model of close collaboration between academia, the clinical sector, and industry. The initiative draws from a unique combination of shared clinical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the immune system and associated lung diseases. The aim is clear: to improve patient care while advancing knowledge in this field.

Quotations

The HOTHOT project will raise the Université de Sherbrooke's international visibility in a major way. Thanks to high-level collaborations—specifically with the University of Oxford and Institute for Respiratory Health and a strategic partnership with Sanofi and Regeneron, UdeS has positioned itself as a world-class clinical research hub.

Anne Lessard, Vice-President, Research, and Vice-President, International Relations, UdeS

This unique partnership will let us demonstrate our ability to carry out major international projects and pool our expertise in a truly translational way, from product to patient. Thanks to this ambitious project, we can advance science to benefit our patients while training the healthcare professionals of tomorrow.

Louis Valiquette, Dean of the FMHS

In the span of six months, we went from setting up the partnership to including the first study participant, a speed you don't often see with international studies! This efficiency stems from our teams, our organization, and the exceptional synergy between these partners.

Marie-Claude Battista, Director, Knowledge transfert and partnership

The HOTHOT study is the culmination of long years of research to identify—and now treat—patients with high-risk reactive airway disease. It will also be the first asthma study to aim for remission as a primary outcome. I am extremely proud of and grateful for the commitment of all the project partners and contributors, who have worked very hard to ensure this study could be carried out in Sherbrooke.

Simon Couillard, Respirologist and Principal Investigator

Sanofi's mission is to chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives. Dupilumab has already been approved for a number of diseases caused by underlying type-2 inflammation, which is an overreaction of the immune system. Our aim with this clinical trial is to provide hope to asthma patients. With the Université de Sherbrooke and our other partners, we are fully committed to this new kind of partnership.

Eric Trottier, Country Head, Medical Affairs, Specialty Care, Sanofi

When clinical practice and research advance together, this positively impacts the entire population. This project perfectly illustrates our vision and our strength of united teams founded on solid partnerships that sincerely want to offer the best care to everyone. Together, we are making breakthroughs that can truly transform lives.

Annie Boisvert, President and Associate Executive Director, CIUSSS de l'Estrie – CHUS

About Simon Couillard
After researching respiratory diseases for many years, respirologist Simon Couillard graduated with distinction from the University of Oxford (2022), where he completed further training in clinical and translational asthma research. He is a professor at the Université de Sherbrooke's FMHS, where he holds the Chair in Respiratory Health Research created by the Association pulmonaire du Québec. He is a member of the CRCHUS and carries out scientific activities on obstructive airway diseases and airway remodelling for the AIRS Network of the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé. He is also a junior editor for renowned peer-reviewed journals such as CHEST and the asthma section of the journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society (CJRCCSM).