Asthma continues to cause morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment that include biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation. The International Collaborative Asthma Network (ICAN) forum was developed with the primary goal of promoting innovative, collaborative research that focuses on mechanisms and treatment for asthma that does not respond or that responds poorly to currently available treatments. The mission of ICAN is innovation, collaboration, translation, and increasing high quality research. At the second ICAN meeting, presenters covered a broad scope and depth of asthma-related topics in the categories of complex data, novel therapeutics and diagnostics, breath analysis and microbiome, disease mechanisms, systemic effects, and circadian rhythm. Key actionable needs and research topics were identified during the group discussions. The presentations and discussions that occurred at the second ICAN had an immediate impact on asthma research in the form of new collaborations and implementation of new research ideas and techniques. The forum also served to connect early-stage investigators with investigators who are well established, thereby fostering innovation, translation, and collaboration well into the future. A third ICAN meeting is planned for 2025 to further the innovations and collaborations that will translate into novel therapies and diagnostics to improve the lives of patients with asthma.
Keywords: Asthma; Type 2 inflammation; collaboration; innovation; translation.