Patient description: A 39-year-old man came to the clinic with cough and shortness of breath that was not relieved by his inhaler. He had these symptoms for 5 days during the past 2 weeks. He doubled his oral corticosteroids in the past week. He is a chef with a history of asthma for 3 years, suffering from frequent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath and chest tightness. The symptoms become more bothersome within 1-2 hours of starting work every day and worsen throughout the work week. His symptoms improve within 1-2 hours outside the workplace. Spirometry was performed revealing a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 63% of the predicted. His past medical history is significant for seasonal allergic rhinitis in the summer. He doesn't smoke or use illicit drugs. His family history is significant for asthma in his father and sister. He currently uses inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and fluticasone 500 mcg/salmeterol 50 mcg, one puff twice daily.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-65.0,  Corticosteroid Resistant (CR) Asthmatics Asthmatic Subjects Males and women of non-childbearing potential aged 18-65 of any racial or ethnic background, who are physically and mentally able to cooperate with the proposed tests and procedures and who are able to give informed consent Asthma defined by symptoms and/or a doctor's diagnosis compatible with asthma as per 2014 GINA Guidelines Symptomatic patients (ACQ>1.25) with FEV1 % predicted 80%, currently taking ICS or ICS/LABA. Patients should demonstrate normal bronchodilator response, i.e. there must be equal or greater than 12% or 200ml improvement in FEV1 post-bronchodilator (albuterol) Females must have a negative pregnancy test at Visit 1, must not be lactating and must be of non-childbearing potential, by fulfilling one of the following Postmenopausal defined as amenorrhoea for at least 12 months or more following cessation of all possible exogenous hormonal treatments and luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the postmenopausal range (at Visit 1) Documentation of irreversible surgical sterilisation by hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or bilateral salpingectomy but not tubal ligation Males must be surgically sterile or agree to use an acceptable method of contraception (defined as barrier methods in conjunction with spermicides) for the duration of the study (from the time they sign consent) and for 3 months after the last dose of investigational product to prevent pregnancy in a partner A weight of ≥50 kg (measured at Visit 1) Healthy Controls Subjects must be 18 to 65 years old, who are physically and mentally able to cooperate with the proposed tests and procedures and who are able to give informed consent  An FEVl <60% predicted post albuterol bronchodilator Oral steroid use within the past 6 weeks Acute respiratory illness within 6 weeks of the study Another pulmonary disease expected to affect participation in the study or the measurements to be examined Pregnancy Smoking in last year or prior smoking history of more than 10 pack years Previous randomization to treatment in the present study (at Visit 1) Participation in another clinical study with any novel investigational medicine product within 3 months before the first dose of investigational product in this study (at Visit 4) Previously intake of any p38 inhibitor (same class as AZD7624) Significant disease or disorder other than asthma (e.g. cardiovascular; pulmonary as e.g. tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis; gastrointestinal, liver; neurological; musculoskeletal; endocrine; metabolic; malignant; psychiatric; major physical impairment) which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the patient at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results of the study, or the patient's ability to participate in the study (at Visit 1)