Mymetics Reports Successful Preclinical Study Results with COP-Virosomes as Second-Generation Allergy Immunotherapy

Mymetics Corporation, a pioneer and leader in the research and development of virosome-based vaccines and immunotherapies against life threatening and life disabling diseases, announced today that Stallergenes Greer, a worldwide leader in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and Anergis, a leader in ultra-fast AIT research and development, reported the results of a joint research study evaluating the effects of the second generation Contiguous Overlapping Peptides (COP) allergen immunotherapy in a therapeutic model of birch allergy, with the aim of shortening the AIT administration schemes.

In 2018, Anergis and Mymetics reported that the COP-Virosomes were able to elicit a strong boost in TH1 antibody response without any IgE response, unlike the first generation of Anergis’ COPs associated with aluminum hydroxide.

In this new study conducted by Stallergenes Greer, COP-Virosomes, and COP and virosomes alone were compared to a placebo group in an in-house therapeutic model of birch pollen allergy. Recombinant Bet v 1 alone (the major allergen of birch pollen) and birch extract were also used as controls in this setting.

COP-virosomes were the only synthetic therapy able to fully reverse asthma symptoms as well as lung inflammation (i.e. significant reduction in eeosinophils in bronchial fluids). Pro-allergic immune responses also decreased with COP-virosome therapy with a significant decrease of the IL-4, a Th2 cytokine. The results of the study will soon be published.

“This new data confirms that COP-virosomes are likely to be more efficacious clinically than a recombinant allergen or than our first generation COP allergy vaccines which did not include the Mymetics’ virosomes. COP-virosomes may thus represent a breakthrough AIT treatment of the future,” said Vincent Charlon, CEO of Anergis.

“This thorough study by Stallergenes Greer is a second confirmation of the potential for the COP-virosomes allergy therapy and we now look forward to turn this into a business opportunity and developing a safe and ultra fast immunotherapy against birch pollen allergy with Anergis,” said Ronald Kempers, CEO of Mymetics.

Source: Mymetics (press release)