Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform

What Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform does

Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP) is a non-profit patient advocacy organization founded in 2009 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, now headquartered in Vienna, Austria with a US branch office in Hendersonville, Tennessee established in 2024. The organization operates as a global network of 160+ patient advocacy organizations across 60 countries, focused on improving quality of life for individuals with allergies, asthma, COPD, atopic dermatitis, bronchiectasis, chronic cough, and approximately 20 other allergy, atopic, and airways diseases. GAAPP functions across four pillars — Advocacy, Awareness, Education, and Research — and provides member organizations with resources, capacity-building, communication grants, regional alliances, and a member portal (hub.gaapp.org).

GAAPP's core product offerings include the GAAPP website platform (gaapp.org), the GAAPP Academy webinar program with live multi-language translation, the Knowledge Hub member portal, and proprietary patient-reported outcome instruments including the CAAT (formerly CAT) and the AIRQ® questionnaire. The organization maintains a research platform connecting patients with clinical trials, co-authors 30+ peer-reviewed publications, and participates in international guideline development through WHO GARD, GINA, and GOLD. GAAPP has developed disease-specific patient navigators (for chronic cough, Type 2 inflammation, urticaria, biologics), advocacy campaigns (Speak Up for COPD, World Bronchiectasis Day), and co-founded the RSV Alliance with IFA, GSK, and ESWI.

GAAPP operates a freemium revenue model: membership is free and open to patient organizations worldwide, while the organization is funded primarily through a Corporate Council of pharmaceutical partners (AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GSK, MSD, Roche, Sanofi-Regeneron) that underwrite core mission activities, campaigns, and events. Additional revenue comes from research grants, donations via PayPal, and compensated research participation. The organization is led by President & CEO Tonya Winders (serving since founding), with a leadership team including a Chief Medical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief Operating Officer, supported by regional administrators across SAREAL (Latin America), EEA (Eastern Europe), AMEA (Africa & Middle East), APAC (Asia Pacific), and the newly inaugurated NAA region.

Name

Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform

Legal name

GAAPP – Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform

Website

https://gaapp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP) is a Vienna-based non-profit patient advocacy organization founded in 2009 that supports 160+ member organizations across 60 countries in advancing care for allergy, asthma, and atopic disease patients through advocacy, education, research, and awareness initiatives, funded by a pharmaceutical Corporate Council.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Advocacy and Healthcare Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Systems Strengthening & Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnerships (HLAJAOAL)

Keywords

• Patient advocacy network
• Allergy respiratory diseases
• Nonprofit health organization
• Patient education programs
• Clinical research facilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Corporate Sponsorship & Grants: GAAPP receives funding from pharmaceutical companies that participate in its Corporate Council, including AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GSK, MSD, Roche, and Sanofi-Regeneron. These partners fund core mission activities, campaigns, and events throughout the year. GSK specifically provided funding for the RSV Alliance. Funding supports global initiatives, education, advocacy, and policy advancement.
2. Membership Dues: GAAPP Membership is free and open to patient organizations worldwide. Membership supports the organization's mission of raising global quality standards for access to treatment, diagnosis, and care. Member organizations gain access to resources, networking, and capacity-building programs.
3. Research & Advocacy Grants: GAAPP collaborates on multi-stakeholder research projects, clinical trials, and patient advisory boards, with compensation provided for patient participation. The organization co-authors peer-reviewed publications and participates in guideline committees, supported by research partnerships with academic and healthcare institutions.
4. Donations: GAAPP accepts donations via PayPal (paypalme.com/gaapporg) to support its mission and activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GAAPP is a global non-profit patient advocacy platform that connects 160+ patient organizations across 60 countries through free membership, providing advocacy, education, awareness, and research support for people with allergic, atopic, and chronic airways diseases. It operates the gaapp.org website, the Knowledge Hub member portal, the GAAPP Academy webinar training program, validated patient-reported outcome tools (CAAT and AIRQ), and regional alliance networks, while holding advisory positions with WHO GARD, GINA, and GOLD to influence international respiratory guidelines.

Product overview

GAAPP operates as a global patient advocacy network rather than a unified software product. The core offering is the gaapp.org platform providing disease information, resources, and member services, supplemented by specialized tools including the GAAPP Academy webinar program, assessment instruments (AIRQ® and CAAT/CAT), patient navigators for conditions like chronic cough and Type 2 inflammation, and coalition initiatives such as the RSV Alliance. Regional alliance groups (SAREAL, EEA, AMEA, APAC) coordinate activities across geographic regions, while awareness campaigns (World Bronchiectasis Day, World Asthma Day) and research engagement programs connect patient communities with educational resources and clinical trial opportunities. The Knowledge Hub serves as a members-only portal for organization resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GAAPP Academy: Educational webinar and training program for member organizations covering topics such as volunteer management, clinical trials education, social media adaptation, and health technology assessment.
• GAAPP Summit
• SAREAL
• EEA (Eastern European Alliance)
• AMEA (Africa and Middle East Alliance)
• APAC (Asia Pacific Alliance)
• RSV Alliance

Products and services

• GAAPP Website Platform (gaapp.org) Central digital platform and hub for patient education, advocacy resources, disease information, events, research opportunities, and member organization access across allergies, atopic, and airways diseases.
• GAAPP Academy Educational webinar and training program offering capacity-building sessions for member organizations on topics such as social media, volunteer management, clinical trials, health technology assessment, and WHO engagement, delivered with live multi-language translation.
• Knowledge Hub (hub.gaapp.org) Members-only portal providing access to resources, best practices, and collaborative tools for GAAPP member patient organizations worldwide.
• CAAT (COPD Assessment Test) Patient-reported outcome instrument for assessing COPD impact on patient health status, governed by GAAPP's CAAT Governance Board and recently renamed from CAT to reflect its application in chronic airways conditions beyond COPD alone.
• Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire (AIRQ®) Patient-reported outcome instrument designed to assess asthma impairment and risk, supporting clinical decision-making and patient care.
• Chronic Cough Patient Navigator Educational resource and ambassador program developed in collaboration with Esperity & Patient Centrics to support patients with refractory chronic cough.
• RSV Alliance Global coalition co-founded with IFA, GSK, and ESWI to raise awareness about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) risks in older adults and vulnerable populations, supporting education, advocacy, and prevention efforts.
• GAAPP Steroid Stewardship Education & Empowerment Program Educational initiative focused on proper steroid use management and patient empowerment regarding corticosteroid treatments for allergy and respiratory conditions.
• Type II Inflammation Patient Navigator Educational resource helping patients navigate Type 2 inflammatory diseases, including connected conditions and treatment pathways.
• Urticaria Shared Decision Making Aid Resource supporting shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers for urticaria treatment.
• Speak Up For COPD Advocacy initiative empowering COPD patients to raise awareness and drive policy change for respiratory health.
• Biologic Medications Resource Center Educational materials helping patients learn about, discuss, and take action regarding biologic medications for allergy and respiratory conditions.
• World Bronchiectasis Day Annual awareness day raising visibility for bronchiectasis, organized collaboratively with global lung health organizations.
• GAAPP Research & Clinical Trial Opportunities Resource connecting patients with recruiting clinical trials and research opportunities across respiratory and allergic conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120-160+ patient organizations served across 52-60 countries globally
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• RSV AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe RSV Alliance was launched by GAAPP, IFA (International Federation on Ageing), GSK, and ESWI (European Scientific Working Group on Influenza) to raise awareness about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) risks in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. The coalition aims to drive education, advocacy, and collaboration to improve prevention and care for vulnerable populations, addressing 110,000 to 180,000 RSV hospitalizations annually among US adults aged 50 and older. GSK provides funding for the alliance.
• WHO GARD (Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP serves as a member/advisory body within WHO GARD, contributing to international respiratory disease advocacy and policy initiatives. The organization actively participates in WHO decision-making processes and advocacy efforts.
• GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP serves on GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma), contributing the patient perspective to international asthma guidelines and advocacy efforts.
• GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP serves on GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease), participating in COPD guideline development and the annual GOLD International COPD Conference, including hosting a Speak Up for COPD booth.
• EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP collaborates with EAACI on guideline development, bringing forward patient representatives on all EAACI guidelines committees including allergic asthma, allergen immunotherapy, and environmental science for allergy and asthma. GAAPP President Tonya Winders serves as a formal advisor to EAACI leadership.
• GCP (Good Clinical Practice) Compliance NetworkcoreOthersThe GAAPP team is trained to comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Human Subjects Research, international data protection policies, and scientific communications standards, enabling the organization to facilitate patient involvement in clinical research globally.
• Latin Health LeadersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP partners with Latin Health Leaders to conduct SAREAL annual congress for Latin American patient organizations and joint capacity-building programs such as maternal immunization advocacy training in Spanish.
• Esperity & Patient CentricsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP collaborated with Esperity and Patient Centrics to establish a #ChronicCough patient navigator and Ambassador program, providing comprehensive educational resources and patient ambassador opportunities for the underserved chronic cough community.
• CAAT Governance Board (COPD Assessment Test)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP hosts and manages the CAAT (formerly CAT) Governance Board, which oversees the CAAT patient-reported outcome tool used globally in COPD and asthma research. The board includes international scientific advisors and industry supporters working on validation studies.
• GAAPP Regional Alliances (SAREAL, EEA, AMEA, APAC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGAAPP operates five regional alliance groups: SAREAL (Latin America), EEA (Eastern European Alliance), AMEA (Africa and Middle East Alliance), and APAC (Asia Pacific Alliance). Each regional group manages local member engagement, events, media outreach, and alliance administration for their geographic areas.
• PeARL Think Tank (Pediatric Allergy and Asthma)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP co-authored the PeARL document on recommendations for asthma monitoring in children, developed in collaboration with APAPARI, EAACI, INTERASMA, REG, and WAO, endorsed by major international professional and patient organizations.
• EMBARC BRIDGE Study (European Bronchiectasis Registry)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAAPP supports the EMBARC BRIDGE study for CAAT validation in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Industry supporters meet at conferences to discuss regulatory strategy, with outcomes reviewed by the CAAT Governance Board.
• Lungunion / OELU (Austrian Lung Union)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLungunion (OELU), GAAPP's Austrian member organization, launched a COPD Mobility Activity providing free liquid oxygen refills at 55+ pharmacies in Austria through a collaboration with the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists and Vivisol, with support from GAAPP.
• Asthma + Lung UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsthma + Lung UK partnered with LifeArc to produce a report on transforming respiratory diagnostics, based on a joint workshop with 100 participants including clinicians, academics, innovators, and people living with respiratory disease.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Lung Foundation Australia: Lung Foundation Australia is a national patient-facing nonprofit supporting lung disease research, education, advocacy, and community services. It closely matches GAAPP's respiratory mission but serves a primarily Australian constituency.
• Asthma + Lung UK: Asthma + Lung UK is a major patient-advocacy charity focused on respiratory health, research, education, and policy. It is highly comparable in mission and activities but primarily serves the UK rather than operating globally.

Broad incumbents

• NCD Alliance: NCD Alliance is a global civil-society network focused on non-communicable disease policy and advocacy. It has a wider disease remit than GAAPP but a comparable multi-stakeholder, global health-system engagement model.
• International Alliance of Patients' Organizations: IAPO is a global alliance representing patients across diseases and health systems. It is broader than GAAPP but comparable in convening patient organizations and advancing patient participation in healthcare policy and decision-making.

Direct peers

• Allergy & Asthma Network: Allergy & Asthma Network is a patient-centered nonprofit addressing asthma, allergies, and related conditions through education, advocacy, research engagement, and community support. Its integrated allergy-and-respiratory focus is directly comparable to GAAPP.
• International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organizations: GlobalSkin is an umbrella organization for patient groups spanning numerous dermatological conditions. It is comparable to GAAPP because it combines a broad disease-scope member network with global advocacy, education, and research representation.
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is a nonprofit patient organization serving people with asthma and allergic disease through advocacy, education, and research support. Its overlapping disease coverage and stakeholder model make it a direct US peer.
• European Lung Foundation: European Lung Foundation connects patients and the public with respiratory researchers and clinicians to improve lung health and research. Its patient-involvement and respiratory-policy activities materially overlap GAAPP's research and advocacy functions.
• European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations: EFA is a European umbrella organization connecting national patient groups focused on allergy and airways diseases. Its disease scope, patient-organization membership, and advocacy mandate closely overlap GAAPP's core model.
• COPD Foundation: The COPD Foundation is a patient-led nonprofit focused on COPD education, research, advocacy, and support. It is a narrower direct peer because GAAPP covers COPD alongside many other chronic respiratory and atopic conditions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gaapporg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmHxc5eHycJK1rZGmgwUjsw
• Facebookfacebook.com/gaapporg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-allergy-asthma-patient-platform
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaapporg
• TikToktiktok.com/@gaapporg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform