BI’s research approach leverages commonalities in the biology of inflammatory skin, intestinal and lung conditions to reveal new therapeutic concepts with significant potential to address critical unmet medical needs associated with these disorders.
One such disease is Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP), a rare skin condition that – unlike the more common form of psoriasis characterized by plaques – causes flare-ups of painful blisters, called “pustules,” all over the body along with flu-like symptoms. Caused by an over-exuberant immune system, the pustules are filled with activated white blood cells. Although this does not indicate the presence of an infection, nor is it contagious, a flare-up can be life-threatening and occur without warning, leaving the patient bedridden and unable to complete normal activities.
In some cases, the condition can be helped by certain medicines. However, these treatments are minimally effective, and there is no known cure for GPP. The BI team is carefully profiling this disease to pinpoint the causes of the immune system malfunctions that cause flare-ups, providing hope to patients facing this devastating condition.