The birch pollen vaccine Allergarda is being administered to patients as part of the final phase of clinical trials, according to the press service of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA) of Russia.
Phase III clinical trials of the allergy vaccine Allergarda, developed by the FMBA’s Institute of Immunology research center, are proceeding according to the protocol approved by the Ministry of Health. To date, the active administration of the drug to patients is underway. Based on data obtained during Phase I and II trials, high efficacy of the drug can be expected, the statement said.
Allergarda is being administered now to study, during the pollen season, the development or absence of allergy symptoms in those who received the allergy vaccine versus patients on a placebo, the press service clarified.
News of the vaccine’s development for treating birch pollen allergy emerged in 2023. Work on it was carried out by scientists from the FMBA’s Institute of Immunology in collaboration with colleagues from the Medical University of Vienna. It is anticipated that 3 to 5 injections of Allergarda will be sufficient to alleviate the allergic reaction, whereas existing treatments require up to 30. In the future, the drug may be included in the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations.
Birch pollen allergy is one of the most common forms of hay fever (seasonal allergy), accounting for 30% to 75% of cases. This prevalence is due to the high volatility of the pollen and its content of the strong allergen protein Bet v 1. Approximately 60% of patients allergic to birch also react to the pollen of oak, alder, and hazel.