Allergy Therapeutics sees good results from Acarovac Plus

Specialty pharmaceutical company Allergy Therapeutics published a one-year follow up study of patients using Acarovac Plus on Friday, in the peer-review journal Immunotherapy.

The AIM-traded firm’s Acarovac Plus product was described as a microcrystalline tyrosine-adsorbed, house dust mite-allergoid subcutaneous immunotherapy.

A previous study in 2014, led by Dr Albert Roger - director of the Allergy Unit at Universitari Hospital Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Spain - assessed the tolerability and safety of Acarovac Plus in patients with respiratory allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus under conditions of normal clinical practice.

The one-year follow-up investigation was with the existing patient pool and testing regimen, and assessed effectiveness using a nasal provocation test and measurement of immunological markers indicative of immunotherapy success.

Allergy Therapeutics said a statistically significant reduction in symptom scores was observed at both follow-up visits - at four weeks and one year - with more than 50% reduction in symptom scores recorded after one year.

It also confirmed significant improvements in immunological markers at the follow-up visits.

The report said patients had significant improvements in their satisfaction scores after one year in relation to overall effectiveness and convenience of the treatment.

“The successful clinical results in the one-year follow-up study clearly demonstrate the effective treatment of house dust mite allergy by Acarovac Plus,” said principal investigator for the study Dr Albert Roger.

“We also observed significant decreases in symptom scores and improvement in nasal sensitivity immediately after the updosing phase of one month and a high rate of patient satisfaction early in treatment.”

The company said 2016 has seen a significant increase in sales of Acarovac Plus in the key markets Spain and Portugal to more than €1m.

It said sales of house dust mite immunotherapy are expected to increase rapidly over the coming years with more than 20% of the population of Europe experiencing an allergic reaction to house dust mites.

As a result, Allergy Therapeutics confirmed it is continuing to develop Acarovac Quattro, described as an ultra-short course therapy using the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A, which has been used in its successful Pollinex Quattro product range currently in late stage development in Europe and the US to complement Acarovac Plus.

“This data further reinforces the benefits of Acarovac Plus in the perennial allergy vaccine market,” said Allergy Therapeutics CEO Manuel Llobet.

“Using maintenance injections six weeks apart, Acarovac Plus has been shown to decrease the symptoms of house dust mite allergy one year after treatment.”

Llobet said the dosing regime has the potential to improve the adherence and compliance that is essential for a successful treatment.

“Acarovac Plus bolsters our portfolio of allergy immunotherapy products on the market in Europe and we look forward to continued good growth.”