The head of Russia’s Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA), Veronika Skvortsova, has announced the commencement of clinical trials for the world’s first vaccine designed to combat allergies to birch pollen and similar allergens such as apple, peach, peanut, and soy. The new drug is expected to eliminate allergic reactions in just three to five injections, far surpassing the purely therapeutic nature of current allergy medications.
CT will begin at the end of September 2024. Skvortsova expressed hope that the initial field season (April-May) would provide sufficient evidence “to fully establish the effectiveness and safety of the development.” After completing all stages of the study, the vaccine should appear in Russian medical institutions.
According to Igor Shilovsky, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at the Institute of Immunology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, the preclinical trials showed promising results. The allergy vaccine did not exhibit any toxic effects and did not cause damage to vital organs, even at a dosage exceeding a hundredfold.