The Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN, now known as Asthmanet) was established in 1993 by the Division of Lung Diseases (DLD), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The objectives of this multi-center program are to conduct multiple well designed clinical trials for rapid evaluation of new and existing therapeutic approaches to asthma and to disseminate laboratory and clinical findings to the health care community.

From 1993 to 2003, ACRN consisted of six Clinical Centers and one Data Coordinating Center (DCC). In September 2003, after a national competition, NHLBI re-awarded ACRN for another 5 years with eight Clinical Centers and one DCC to continue pursuit of the same objectives. The Asthma Research Center, at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston) was an active center in the ACRN, and is currently a part of Asthmanet.