National Rosacea Society Awards $25,000 for Research on Rosacea Pathogenesis and Treatment
Key Takeaways
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) awarded two $12,500 research grants to investigate rosacea pathogenesis and potential treatment targets.
One study will examine vascular inflammation and immune cell interactions to identify existing drugs that could be repurposed for rosacea.
A second study will investigate associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea severity in a Lebanese population.
The National Rosacea Society (NRS) has awarded two research grants totaling $25,000 to support investigations into the underlying mechanisms of rosacea, including vascular inflammation, immune system interactions, and the potential association between Helicobacter pylori infection and disease severity.
The awards are part of the organization's ongoing research grants program, which has provided more than $1.7 million to over 80 studies since 2000.
Studies Target Immune Pathways and H. pylori Infection
Arun Kumar, PhD, assistant professor at University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, received $12,500 to investigate interactions between dermal blood vessels and myeloid immune cells in rosacea. Using computational network pharmacology, Kumar will analyze existing genetic and molecular datasets to identify biological pathways, genes, and molecular networks implicated in rosacea pathogenesis. The study will also evaluate opportunities to repurpose existing medications for rosacea treatment.
A second $12,500 grant was awarded to Zeina Tannous, MD, and Jana Dib Al Jabout, MD, of Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital in Lebanon. Their study will investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and rosacea phenotypes and severity in an eastern Mediterranean population, where researchers estimate H. pylori prevalence at approximately 52%.
Investigators will assess disease severity using anatomical involvement, lesion counts, and quality-of-life measures. Findings are intended to inform a subsequent interventional trial examining whether H. pylori eradication affects rosacea outcomes.
The NRS is accepting proposals for its next research funding cycle through July 2, 2027, prioritizing studies addressing rosacea pathogenesis, progression, genetic factors, and potential therapeutic mechanisms.
Source
National Rosacea Society. News release. October 21, 2026.