IVN201--therapy with a construct containing functional fusion peptides

Abstract

The new concept of immunotherapy with IVN201 against cat dander allergy combines two proprietary technology platforms: Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) with Modular-Antigen-Transportation (MAT) proteins. Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) is the injection of immunotherapeutics directly into the lymph node. Lymph nodes contain a high density of antigen presenting cells together with interacting T cells, which are necessary for allergen tolerance development. Therefore, this site-directed route of administration requires fewer injections of much smaller doses of the allergen than conventional administration routes to induce a highly effective, disease modifying immune response. ILIT was recently demonstrated in a clinical study to enhance safety and efficacy of immunotherapy and to reduce treatment time from 3 years to 8 weeks with only three injections, thereby significantly improving patient compliance. Patients subjectively perceived the intralymphatic injections less painful than a venous puncture. IVN201 is a functional fusion peptide which is a tailor-made recombinant allergen for ILIT with Fel d 1 as allergen module. It is designed to be rapidly taken up by antigen presenting cells in the lymph nodes and to improve the presentation of the allergen to the immune system. IVN201 was shown to induce allergen tolerance in a murine anaphylaxis model. Stimulation assays with basophil leukocytes isolated from allergic patients suggest an increased safety profile when compared to cat extract or recombinant Fel d 1. Therefore, MAT molecules are expected to be safer and more efficacious in inducing the desired immune response than recombinant allergens or allergen extracts in allergen immunotherapy when administered via the intralymphatic route.