Giorgio Walter Canonica

Giorgio Walter Canonica (born October 25, 1947) is an Italian allergist, pulmonologist and professor of respiratory medicine at Humanitas University, Milan, Italy and Director Personalized Medicine Asthma & Allergy Center at Humanitas Research Hospital IRCCS-Milano Italy since December 2016. He is known for his research work related to treatment strategies for allergic diseases which includes biological response modifier in form of targeted immunotherapy with primary emphasis on sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). He was president of several allergy and respiratory scientific cocieties.

Early life and education Canonica received his master's degree from School of Medicine, University of Genoa during 1972. He started his career as a specialist in pulmonary disease at University of Genoa. He then moved to Florence University while keeping the primary specialization in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Consequently, he carried out research works in clinical immunology and allergology research from University of Uppsala, Sweden and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, US. As per national and international awards and recognition obtained, in 2004 Canonica received the title of Visitante Distinguido from Università Catolica Cordoba Argentina. Later on, in 2012, he won the WAO Gold Medal Award. In 2014, he received the Laurea Honoris Causa, Cluji Medical University, Romania. He also received the Special Recognition Award from WAO in 2019. He is also editor in chief of Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

In 2020, he obtained the Scientific Recognition Award APAAACI-Asian Pacific Association Allergy. He was declared Legend of Allergy and Immunology in 2021. In 2022, he obtained the Lifetime Achievement Award – APAACI-Asian Pacific Association Allergy Clinical Immunology in Manila.

Throughout his career, Canonica has was President of several international and national associations. He chaired the World Allergy Organization (WAO) from 2007 to 2009; he was president for Interasma-Global Asthma Association from 2018 to 2020. He was President of the Respiratory Effectiveness Group (REG) from 2022 to 2024, continuing his research activities on the effectiveness of respiratory treatments.

At the national level, Canonica has held positions as President of the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC), and the Italian Society of Respiratory Medicine (SIMER), known as SIP/IRS. He was also involved in the Collegium Internationale Allergologicum (CIA) as a board member from 2021 to 2023. This position made him contribute to international collaboration and knowledge exchange in the field of allergology. Currently, Professor Canonica is an executive member and consultant in many important international initiatives and networks: Member of the executive committee of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), and the Global Allergy & Asthma Excellence Network (GA²LEN), Canonica is also Chief Executive Director of Interasma since 2021. and as Chair of Biologics in Allergy at WAO from 2023 to 2024, leading important initiatives in research and therapeutic innovation. has contributed to the promotion of best clinical practices and awareness about asthma management globally.

Furthermore, Canonica is honored as an Honorary Member of several societies, including the Argentine Society of Allergology, the Latin American Society of Allergy and Immunology (SLAAI), the Finnish Society of Allergy and Immunology, the Hungarian Allergy Society, the Romanian Allergy Society, and the Italian Association of Nasal Cytology (AICNA).

He is also recognized as a Fellow of organizations such as the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

Research areas

Canonica's research areas primarily include the observations of molecular events, which further includes interactivity of epithelial cells, inflammatory cells and immunocompetent cells in allergic inflammation and airway remodeling. He is also known to be involved in innovative treatment strategies for allergic diseases including biological response modifier in form of targeted immunotherapy with primary emphasis on sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

Notable publications