Project Term: 2021-2023
Budget: About NT$3.3 million
Origin: The Tang Prize is awarded on a biennial basis, each with a cash reward of NT$40 million. Projects proposed by the laureates also receive a grant of up to NT$10 million. The 2020 grant for Biopharmaceutical Science is shared between Dr. Charles Dinarello, Dr. Marc Feldmann and Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto.
Project Summary: Studying the relationship between inflammation and clotting in patients with COVID-19 treated with anti-TNF biologic should enable resolution of this important piece of the puzzle in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Understanding the link between the activation of the immune system and coagulopathy of COVID-19 will help identify patients at risk of severe complications and guide selection of immunomodulatory drug trials with immediate and high translational gains. This study design will help identify the immune features of responders to anti TNF therapy and non-responders, aiding the patient selection.