Janssen - Coeliac collaboration
Monash University signed a multi-year research collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. to advance the understanding of the immune mechanisms underpinning Coeliac Disease and inform the development of new methods of diagnosis and treatment. The research is led by Professor Jamie Rossjohn from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
Coeliac Disease is a serious health condition affecting ~1% of the world’s population, many of whom are unaware they have the disease. It occurs when dietary gluten triggers a damaging immune response that attacks the body. It is associated with a range of health problems including digestive symptoms, anaemia, low iron levels and excessive tiredness as well as osteoporosis, other autoimmune diseases, infection and some types of cancer.
Providing a definitive diagnosis to Coeliac Disease currently entails invasive biopsy - improved diagnostics are needed. And there is no known cure - the only approved treatment is a gluten-free diet.
The collaboration brings together leading researchers and industry partners to tackle this major health issue to develop innovative immunotherapeutics to prevent and treat Coeliac Disease.