The first French biotech to NASDAQ, DBV, is expanding the patient group for its promising peanut allergy treatment to include toddlers.
DBV Technologies’ Phase IIb results of its peanut allergy therapy, Viaskin Peanut, were one of 2016’s biggest clinical success stories when it successfully desensitized children to obviate life-threatening allergies. A trial in children between the ages of 6 and 11 is currently underway with results expected this year, and the company has just expanded its program to include another trial for toddlers between 1 and 3 years old.
As a patch, Viaskin Peanut is noninvasive and self-administered, making it ideal for children. The technology hinges on the administration of the allergen to Langerhans immune cells via the outer layer of the skin, such that is doesn’t enter the blood and cause an anaphylactic reaction. DBV is also investigating the application of its technology to treat milk and egg allergies so it has fall-back options if its main competitor Aimmune beats it to the punch.
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