ACARIZAX® approved in Europe for treatment of young children
December 12 2024 - 9:06AM
UK Regulatory
ACARIZAX® approved in Europe for treatment of young children
ALK (ALKB:DC / OMX: ALK B) today announced that its
European regulatory filing for ACARIZAX® (house dust
mite sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet) in young children
aged five to 11 has been approved by the health authorities in 21
EU countries via a type II variation procedure. The first market
introductions, including in ALK’s largest market, Germany, are
expected to follow over the coming months.
The data that formed the basis for the approval includes results
from the largest-ever paediatric AIT Phase 3 clinical trial, MT-12,
which involved 1,458 children in North America and Europe. MT-12
was a randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigating the
efficacy and safety of ACARIZAX® in children aged five
to 11 with a clinical history of house dust mite-induced allergic
rhinitis/conjunctivitis with or without asthma. The trial
demonstrated efficacy and safety of the treatment in children, and
the results were recently published in the reputable scientific
journal, The Lancet Regional Health – Europe.
ALK’s Executive Vice President of R&D, Henriette Mersebach
(MD), says: “Today, most children living with allergies are only
treated with symptom-relieving medications, such as antihistamines
or steroids. Despite this, many children still have uncontrolled
symptoms and may benefit from effective treatment options that also
address the underlying cause of their disease. Allergy induced by
house dust mites often begins in early childhood and is associated
with an elevated risk of developing into allergic asthma. Today’s
approval marks an important step forward for our ability to
transform the medical treatment of children with allergies, as well
as for ALK’s long-term growth ambitions”.
Globally, it is estimated that more than ten million children,
aged five to 11, have uncontrolled respiratory allergies and the
number is growing. House dust mites are a common cause of allergy
and closely linked to asthma.
The house dust mite tablet is marketed as ACARIZAX®
in Europe and several international markets, as ODACTRA®
in the USA, and as MITICURE™ in Japan. Until now, the tablet has
been approved for use in young children only in Japan, where the
vast majority of patients receiving treatment are children. In
Europe, the tablet is now approved for use in patients aged five to
65 diagnosed by clinical history and a positive test of house dust
mite sensitisation (skin prick test and/or specific IgE blood test)
with persistent moderate to severe house dust mite allergic
rhinitis despite use of symptom-relieving medication. In addition,
the tablet is approved for house dust mite-induced allergic asthma
in patients aged 18-65.
A corresponding regulatory review is currently ongoing with the
US Food and Drug Administration. Furthermore, a separate regulatory
review of ALK’s tree tablet ITULAZAX® is ongoing in
Europe and Canada, also for use in children. These reviews are
expected to complete in 2025.
ALK-Abelló A/S
For further information please contact:
Investor Relations: Per Plotnikof, tel. +45 4574 7527,
mobile +45 2261 2525
Media: Maiken Riise Andersen, tel. +45 5054 1434
About ALK
ALK is a global specialty pharmaceutical company focused on
allergy and allergic asthma. It markets allergy immunotherapy
(‘AIT’) treatments and other products and services for people with
allergy and allergy doctors. Headquartered in Hørsholm, Denmark,
ALK employs around 2,900 people worldwide and is listed on Nasdaq
Copenhagen. Find more information at www.alk.net.
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