Russia to Test Allergy Vaccine

In the fall of 2024, Russian immunologists will begin clinical trials of a vaccine against cross-food allergies and birch pollen allergies. This was announced on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel by the head of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) Veronika Skvortsova.

"Preclinical studies have been completed for this vaccine, and approvals for clinical studies have been received. They will begin in late September-October. The first field season - April-May - will allow us to fully confirm the effectiveness and safety [of the vaccine]," she said.

The vaccine was developed by scientists from the Institute of Immunology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency and the Medical University of Vienna in 2023. It was noted that the course of prevention will consist of three to five injections.

Allergist-immunologist of JSC "Medicine" Yulia Radchik notes that the vaccine will allow faster results in the fight against complications due to allergies. Now, as Radchik says, the most effective way to prevent severe allergic reactions and the development of serious diseases is allergen-specific immunotherapy - training the immune system to react to the allergen less aggressively. This therapy can take from three to five years.

According to Igor Shilovsky, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation at the Institute of Immunology, the results of preclinical trials showed that the allergy vaccine is not toxic and did not cause damage to vital organs.

"We mapped the birch allergen, that is, we identified the most significant sections in its structure, and they were included in the allergy vaccine. The fragments of the allergen that are responsible for its toxicity were excluded, and as a result, with the help of such recombination, we obtained a hypoallergenic vaccine," Kommersant quotes Shilovsky as saying.

He also noted that current allergy medications only reduce symptoms without eliminating the underlying cause of the disease.

"Considering this situation, we focused on creating recombinant hypoallergenic vaccines. They can be used prophylactically, preventing the development of allergies. We hope that the introduction of our development into clinical practice will allow us to reverse the trend of disease growth in our favor," said Shilovsky.

The vaccine should appear in Russian medical institutions after clinical trials are completed. This stage is mandatory before the release of the drug.

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