New vaccine against cat dander allergy

People who love cats will likely be happy to know that French-Canadian pharmaceutical company, Anghani, has started conducting clinical trials aimed at developing a cat allergy vaccine for humans. 

The project, named “Ang-101,” works by creating a bioparticle that emulates the size and shape of the virus and is covered in thousands of copies of the Phil D1+ protein, the primary substance responsible for causing allergic reactions in cats.

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Clinical trials will take place at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, with the first group of patients receiving treatment.

The vaccine’s co-founder, Loik Fay, told Agence France-Presse that the treatment had already been tested on animals, with positive results. It produced “a very strong production of antibodies capable of preventing an allergic reaction.”

Currently, the method for alleviating allergy symptoms is through “desensitization,” which involves injecting patients with increasing doses of allergen extracts over a long period.

Antihistamines are also used for quick relief but aren’t a permanent solution. Due to this, the development of this vaccine could shape the allergy treatment market dramatically.

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Anghani’s President and General Director, Louis-Philippe Vezina, touted Ang-101 as “the first in a group of vaccines being prepared against the most prominent types of allergies in humans and pets.”

Its development marks a significant step forward for the company, which was founded in France in 2010 and became called “Anghani” after transferring to Canadian ownership in 2017.

As of now, only time will tell whether or not the clinical trials will lead to Ang-101’s approval for general use. However, if successful, this vaccine could be lifesaving for millions of people worldwide, allowing them to enjoy living with their feline companions without experiencing severe allergic reactions.

Furthermore, the development of the vaccine for other allergies in humans and pets, as promised by Anghani, could revolutionize the field of allergen research.