OREANDA-NEWS. Allergy Therapeutics, the fully integrated specialty pharmaceutical company specialising in allergy vaccines, today announces the publication of a 1-year follow-up study of patients using Acarovac Plus™, its unique, microcrystalline tyrosine-adsorbed, house dust mite-allergoid subcutaneous immunotherapy in the peer-review journal 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. This 1-year follow-up investigation, with the existing patient pool and testing regimen, assessed effectiveness using a nasal provocation test and measurement of immunological markers that are indicative of immunotherapy success.

A statistically significant reduction in symptom scores was observed at both follow-up visits (four weeks and one year), with >50% reduction in symptom scores recorded after one year. Moreover, significant improvements in immunological markers were noted at the follow-up visits. Patients reported statistically significant improvements in satisfaction scores after one year in relation to overall effectiveness and convenience of the treatment.

2016 has seen a significant increase in sales of Acarovac Plus™ to over EUR 1 million in key markets Spain and Portugal, compared to 2015.  Sales of house dust mite immunotherapy are expected to increase rapidly over the coming years with over 20% of the population in Europe experiencing an allergic reaction to house dust mites. Therefore, Allergy Therapeutics is continuing to develop Acarovac Quattro™, an ultra-short course therapy utilising the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), which is used in the Company's successful Pollinex Quattro product range currently in late stage development in Europe and the US to complement Acarovac Plus™.

Commenting on the publication, Dr Albert Roger, principal investigator for the study, said: "The successful clinical results in the 1-year follow-up study clearly demonstrate the effective treatment of house dust mite allergy by Acarovac Plus™. We also observed significant decreases in symptom scores and improvement in nasal sensitivity immediately after the up dosing phase of one month and a high rate of patient satisfaction early in treatment."

Manuel Llobet, Chief Executive Officer of Allergy Therapeutics, said: "This data further reinforces the benefits of Acarovac Plus™ in the perennial allergy vaccine market. Using maintenance injections six weeks apart, Acarovac Plus™ has been shown to decrease the symptoms of house dust mite allergy one year after treatment. This 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."