Immunomic Therapeutics awarded $1.2m to develop peanut allergy treatment

Immunomic Therapeutics, a privately-held biotechnology company developing vaccines based on its proprietary LAMP technology, has been awarded a US $1.2 million grant by the  United States Department of Defence for the development of its ARA-LAMP-vax technology against peanut allergies.

According to the terms of the grant, the Immunomic will utilise the funds to manufacture its ARA-LAMP-vax and perform bio-distribution and toxicology studies in animal models to conclude the Company’s preclinical work and prepare its peanut allergy vaccine for a Phase 1 safety trial in humans.

Immunomic intends to study the safety and efficacy of ARA-LAMP-vax in adults and children

These studies, combined with Immunomic’s previous results that demonstrated ARA-LAMP-vax may prevent anaphylaxis by decreasing sIgE and Th2-associated cytokine release in mouse models of peanut allergy, will be included in a data package to be sent to the FDA to support the initiation of the Phase 1 trial. Ultimately, Immunomic intends to study the safety and efficacy of ARA-LAMP-vax in peanut allergic individuals, including children, with the eventual goal of seeking FDA approval for the treatment of moderate to very severe peanut allergic individuals.

“This grant underscores the importance of finding a viable and permanent solution to peanut allergies,” said Teri Heiland, Ph.D., Vice President of R&D, Immunomic. “The fact that peanut allergies are pervasive in our society and potentially deadly has been brought to the attention of the DoD, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to help discover and provide a solution.”