The UCB Institute of Allergy is proposing as a primary objective to bring a positive contribution to the fight against allergic diseases. By focusing attention on, and supporting communication in this widespread, yet often neglected, area of medicine, the Institute aims at stimulating and promoting progress of allergy knowledge and through this at relieving the discomfort and suffering of the many millions of allergy victims around the world. In some cases allergy can even lead to life threatening conditions such as severe asthma or anaphylactic shock.