Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) has signed an agreement with "http://www.grifols.com/en/web/international/home,jsessionid=kkJhS0NV6l2TSQ2nT5z5QdKnnHJ7PBQNQf1TpBbN3Cw9rn1GV65v" Grifols with the aim of promoting a centre of excellence dedicated to research and training on the deficiency of Alpha-1 antitrypsin (DAAT). Grifols supports this new initiative framed in its collaboration policy with public entities as part of its commitment to the health of people, specifically with those suffering from rare diseases and in many cases under-diagnosed.DAAT is a minority hereditary genetic disorder that can lead to the development of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is the most common life-threatening congenital disease in adulthood because its minority status is little known and it is usually detected in the later stages.VHIR is a reference center in research on DAAT. However, as it is a rare disease, professionals have the need to concentrate all cases detected in the same space to generate knowledge about the disease and open research possibilities in mechanisms and new therapies. With the agreement signed today, VHIR’s director, Dr. Joan Comella, and Enric Thomas, managing director of Grifols Movaco, the first step has been taking to creating an excellence centre in research of DAAT, which initially involve five researchers. Dr. Marc Miravitlles, researcher of the Pneumology group of VHIR, will lead this new team of professionals that, he says, "will investigate the characterization of the possible variants of AAT in each case, including identifying some not previously described, from the data obtained from the patients".To Enric Thomas, from Grífols Movaco, the agreement "is important to encourage partnerships between private companies and public institutions to the benefit of patients and this agreement represents a commitment by Grifols with knowledge of the disease and its diagnosis".The new center will also drive a record of patients that allows a better understanding of the natural history of the disease, develops rapid diagnostic techniques and approaches laboratory diagnosis to patients from every place in Catalonia.