Allergology

This research group is dedicated to investigate drug allergy mechanisms and is affiliated to the Allergology out-patient department. In our out-patient department, we conduct studies to establish new therapeutic strategies and to substantiate the efficacy of medications. The direct exchange of expertise between clinicians and researchers leads to innovations in diagnosis and treatment of immunologic and allergic diseases.
The research topic „drug allergy“ has been a long tradition in Bern. Prof. A.L. de Weck was internationally renowned as a pioneer in skin testing to diagnose allergy to penicillin. Under the leadership of Prof. W.J. Pichler, this tradition has been continued, whereby allergic reactions triggered by medications are analysed to understand these reactions and to develop tools to prevent drug induced side effects.
The Drug allergy group has, in the meantime, established an international reputation, also for pharmaceutical companies, as the group offers rather unique tests systems to identify drug allergic reactions. There is a strong collaboration with various research groups worldwide. The long-term objective of the group in Bern is to provide the pharmaceutical industry with an instrument to predict the allergenic potential of a newly developed drug. The group is particularly proud of the first book entitled “Drug Hypersensitivity” edited by by Prof. W.J. Pichler, published by Karger in 2007, which has highlighted the perspectives of this important topic.

Prof. Werner Pichler

werner.pichler@insel.ch
www.rheumabern.ch/forschung-allergo.html

Druckversion