Our Mission and Research Focus
Our mission is to advance the fundamental understanding and the effective treatment of allergic conditions through pioneering research and rigorous clinical trials.
Our team collaborates with leading international experts and major pharmaceutical companies to investigate novel therapeutic modalities and improve patient outcomes globally.
Our specific research interests include:
Food Allergy and Asthma
Hay Fever (ARC)
Eczema and Urticaria
Rare Genetic Disorders
Governance and Strategic Partnerships
Clinical Research Oversight Committee (CROC)
The ACE Clinical Research Oversight Committee (CROC) is a body of experts and laypeople responsible for the ethical and scientific governance of all research conducted at the ACE centre.
Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights, safety and well-being of all trial participants by providing a rigorous and objective review of trial protocols and clinical data.
The committee ensures that every study adheres to the highest international regulatory standards, maintains research integrity and manages potential conflicts of interest with absolute transparency.
Myriad Trials
The Allergy Centre of Excellence operates in a strategic partnership with Myriad Trials, a premier clinical research organisation led by Melita Irving, a distinguished Clinical Geneticist and Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
This partnership provides the sophisticated infrastructure required to manage complex Phase 3 trials and natural history studies. By bridging the gap between global pharmaceutical innovation and specialist clinical care, Myriad Trials ensures our participants have seamless access to the latest investigational therapies within a secure, professionally managed framework.
CQC Approved CentreLeadership and Multidisciplinary Research Team
ACE was established by three distinguished Professors, each possessing an extensive history of significant contributions to clinical research:
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Professor Gideon Lack
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
Professor Gideon Lack is a world-leading paediatric allergist and the founder of…
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Professor Fox OBE
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
Adam read Medicine and Neuroscience at Cambridge University before completing…
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Professor Du Toit
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
George du Toit is Professor in paediatric allergy at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital…
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Dr Ru-Xin Foong
Consultant Paediatric Allergist
Dr Ru-Xin Foong is a Consultant in Paediatric Allergy at Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
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Professor Gideon Lack
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
Professor Gideon Lack is a world-leading paediatric allergist and the founder of…
-
Professor Fox OBE
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
Adam read Medicine and Neuroscience at Cambridge University before completing…
-
Professor Du Toit
Founding Director and
Professor of Paediatric Allergy
George du Toit is Professor in paediatric allergy at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital…
-
Dr Ru-Xin Foong
Consultant Paediatric Allergist
Dr Ru-Xin Foong is a Consultant in Paediatric Allergy at Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
We maintain a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team to ensure the highest standards of patient care and research integrity:
Management Team
Management and accounts administration
Medical Leadership
Paediatric Allergy Consultants and James Gardner (Nurse Consultant), Dr Ru-Xing Foong, Paediatric Allergy Consultant, Study PI
Nursing & Care
Paediatric Allergy Specialist Nurses & Clinical Trial Practitioners
Critical Care
On-site Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Consultant Coverage
Dietetics
Specialist Paediatric Dietetic Team (e.g., Mary Feeney)"
Psychology
Specialist Psychologist (e.g., Karen Murphey)"
Pharmacy
Dedicated Paediatric Allergy Pharmacy and Pharmacist Team
Research Leadership
Founded by internationally recognised Paediatric Allergy consultants Professors Lack, Du Toit & Fox. Research is led by Professor George Du Toit, Dr Ru-Xin Foong.
Facility
We are Located at 10 Duchess Street, London; secure, contemporary and child-friendly environment optimized for clinical research.
10 Duchess Street, London W1G 9AB
Marylebone, Central London, United Kingdom
Clinical Resources
- Child-friendly phlebotomy staff
- Specialised on-site Paediatric Allergy Pharmacy
- On-site Research Laboratory with phlebotomy and centrifuging facilities on site
- Bespoke, safe and spacious clinical trials unit
The COMFORT Study
Now Recruiting- Full Title: Characterisation of the Optimal Management of Food Allergy Relief and Treatment
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07003919
- Principal Investigator: Dr Ru-Xin Foong
About the Study
The COMFORT study is a Phase 3 clinical trial investigating a potential novel therapeutic intervention for peanut allergy in children aged 1 to 3 years.
Sponsored by DBV Technologies, the trial evaluates the Viaskin® Peanut patch. This is a non-invasive form of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT)—a “peanut patch” that delivers precise, microscopic amounts of peanut protein through the skin to help the immune system build tolerance (desensitisation) without the protein entering the bloodstream directly.
Trial Design & Duration
- Method: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Randomisation: Participants have a 3:1 ratio of receiving the active treatment (75% chance of receiving the Viaskin® patch)
- Core Study Period: 6 months
- Open-Label Extension: Following the core period, eligible participants may enter an 18-month extension where all participants receive the active patch
