Leicester researcher scoops prestigious award for her work on asthma

The work of a Leicester researcher testing the benefits of a new treatment for severe asthma has scooped a prestigious award. 

Dr Sarah Diver’s expertise in lung health played a central role in trials testing an asthma medication called Tezepelumab and has been recognised in the NIHR’s first ever Impact Prize celebrating researchers whose groundbreaking work has improved people’s lives or promoted economic growth, both in the UK and globally. 

Her research showed that Tezepelumab decreases asthma attacks by reducing the number of key inflammatory cells in the lungs, with improvements observed across all severe asthma patients. 

The treatment, which also showed novel effects on airway twitching and airway mucus, will help many people with severe asthma to look to a future where they no longer experience asthma attacks or symptoms. This will reduce dependence on urgent GP and hospital reviews and bring down NHS costs. 

A delighted Dr Diver said: “I am thrilled to be recognised on behalf of the much wider research team at Leicester, whose work over many years has provided the foundations for this trial to be successful, and even more thrilled to see the improvements in quality of life that Tezepelumab has led to for our asthma patients.”

The awards by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) were established last year and highlight individuals whose work is helping to drive research and scientific advances. 

Winners were announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 20 March by Professor Lucy Chappell, the Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR.

She said the awards showcased “exceptional work across the range of research that NIHR funds and supports.”

“Collectively, this incredible group of researchers - and many more across the system have strived to drive meaningful change and used research to make a real difference to people’s lives, help build a health and care service fit for the future and drive growth,” she said.

Tezepelumab, which has been commercialised in the UK by AstraZeneca, reduces asthma attacks, improving inflammation and lung function and reducing hospital visits. 

Professor Christopher Brightling from the University of Leicester’s Department of Respiratory Sciences said: “Sarah Diver is an exceptional clinician scientist who is a very deserving recipient of this national award. Her work has already led to real change for the better for people with severe asthma.”