Allergy Therapeutics, a UK-based pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of allergy vaccines, announced positive results today from its preclinical research into a therapeutic peanut allergy vaccine named Polyvac® Peanut.
The company demonstrated that a single dose of Polyvac Peanut, which contains virus-like particles combined with recombinant peanut allergen, protected against anaphylaxis when challenged with peanut.
The safety profile of the product was similar to that of placebo and did not induce anaphylaxis in peanut sensitized subjects.
The approach taken by Allergy Therapeutics aims to provide protective immunity with shorter therapy duration and enhanced safety profile over traditional forms of Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT or “patch therapy”.)
Said Manuel Llobet, Chief Executive Officer of Allergy Therapeutics:
The data clearly demonstrate that when our unique adjuvant is coupled with recombinant peanut allergen it provides protection against anaphylaxis and also indicated no safety concerns often associated with traditional injected peanut vaccines. Hundreds of patients die each year in the United States as a result of food allergies (mainly peanut) and we are committed to saving these lives. This peanut vaccine programme complements our current range of marketed ultra-short course vaccines in terms of safety, efficacy and improved patient convenience.
The company plans to progress Polyvac Peanut to Phase I trials in keeping with its implementation plan.
