ALK Abello reports positive data from dust mite allergy drug trial

ALK Abello has presented key trial data showing the benefits of its new therapy for house dust mite respiratory allergic diseases.

The new sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet was evaluated in the MITRA trial, which was initiated in 2011 among patients with dust mite-induced asthma not fully controlled with medium to high dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

It was able to meet its primary endpoint in the trial by reducing the risk of moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbations during the withdrawal of ICS therapy, as measured by the time to the first exacerbation.

This shows the new treatment could reduce allergy symptoms so that moderate-to-severe cases become mild. It is the first sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet with robust results in both allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. 

Henrik Jacobi, executive vice-president for research and development at ALK Abello, said: "Based on these findings, we expect to submit a regulatory filing to the European authorities in the second half of 2014."

The company saw positive growth during the 2013 business year and is in the process of moving into the veterinary allergy market for the first time, following the recent acquisition of Bio-Medical Services.