Universal allergy treatment going to Phase III clinical trials

Cytos Biotechnology has a product CYT003-QbG10 with the potential to treat many different allergies because it does not give people tiny doses of the specific substance that they are allergic. Instead, it works by distracting the overactive immune system, which is thought to be the cause of most allergic reactions. Current allergy shot treatments require about one hundred shots over several years with a very high total cost. ($35 [often after medical plan coverage] per shot times 100, $3500 overall treatment)

Study 08 with CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy included 80 patients suffering from house dust mite and /or cat allergy and investigated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of six injections of ascending doses of CYT003-QbG10 (300-900μg) or placebo. Treatment with CYT003-QbG10 was safe, very well tolerated and significantly reduced rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in daily life compared to placebo (p=0.008). The CYT003-QbG10 treatment group mean total rhinoconjunctivitis symptom score had fallen from 9.3 points pre-treatment to 3.6 points post-treatment (-61%), whereas for the placebo group a reduction from 9.2 points pre-treatment to 6.3 points post-treatment (-32%) was observed. Also, the allergen tolerance as measured in the conjunctival provocation test was improved after CYT003-QbG10 treatment compared to placebo (borderline significant, p=0.06).

A product with an allergen-independent mechanism of action has major advantages over current immunotherapy approaches, which are all based on allergen components. By nature, allergen extracts can cause severe side effects, which may lead to potentially life-threatening conditions like anaphylaxis. This is why these treatments are contraindicated in those patients who would benefit most from them: People with severe allergies and asthma. In addition, such treatments are usually
administered only by specially trained physicians.

In contrast to this, the almost placebo-like side effect profile of CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy may enable the use of this product in larger patient populations and by general practitioners. Its allergen-independent mechanism of action simplifies treatment, since a single agent can be used for the treatment of multiple allergies. Also, it may be possible to use this product in people for whom immunotherapy is currently contraindicated.

With these major advantages, CYT003-QbG10 has potential to rejuvenate the mature allergic diseases market, which is dominated by either purely symptomatic drugs like antihistamines or corticosteroids or by immunotherapy products containing allergen components. We are therefore excited to advance CYT003-QbG10 monotherapy as a first-in-class, disease-modifying product candidate into late-stage development. Start of phase IIb is planned already in the forth quarter this year.”

1 thought on “Universal allergy treatment going to Phase III clinical trials”

  1. One can attract quite a following through name calling, throwing out unsupported claims and accusations and by projecting one’s faults on those who you argue with – as long as you appeal to a preexisting sentiment. Harper ought to do quite well in his new chosen profession of being a pander bear.

    It is amusing that he tries to paint you with the same brush as creationists since he is claiming that something is impossible without explaining why, claiming everyone agrees with him when they actually do not and attacking the proponents of the idea rather than the idea. I hope the creationists have not patented their business model or Harper could be in for legal trouble.

  2. True Tim is a troll. However, some of them have a fairly high profile in the hijacked nanotechnology area.

    Amazingly he won the 2003 foresight communication prize.

    http://www.foresight.org/FI/communicationprize2003.html

    He won it for market research reports on various nanotechnology businesses and a weekly paid subscription set of reports on nanotechnology business.

    Before 2003, he and his firm was fairly even handed. Then after 2003, starting in about 2004, 2005 he became troll like in his attacks on molecular manufacturing. I don’t have evidence for the specific reasons for the shift. He does make his money providing research related to near term nanotechnology companies.

    As a public service, I am launching some websites to cover some aspects of business markets and technology that overlap where Tim is charging $5000 per market report.

  3. Tim is a troll. Trolls can be identified as follows:

    – They make claims intended to generate emotions rather than debate
    – They don’t have supporting documentation
    – They will not engage in meaningful debate

    Trolls should be ignored.

Comments are closed.