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Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Celiac Disease Vaccine Shows Promising Results

May 10, 2011

Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Celiac Disease Vaccine Shows Promising Results

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Immunotherapeutic vaccine is designed to reduce the body’s rejection of gluten, according to renowned researcher and NFCA Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Bob Anderson.

ImmusanT, Inc., a biotechnology company developing an immunotherapeutic vaccine, companion diagnostic and monitoring tool for celiac disease, reported positive results from a Phase 1 study evaluating the safety, tolerability and bioactivity of Nexvax2® in patients with celiac disease. ImmusanT Chief Scientific and Medical Officer and NFCA Medical Advisory Board member Dr. Bob Anderson presented results from the Nexvax2 Phase 1 study and led a symposium and session discussions about celiac disease at Digestive Disease Week in Chicago.

The randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind Phase 1 study evaluated weekly intradermal injections of Nexvax2 compared to placebo in patients with celiac disease on a strict gluten-free diet. The therapeutic vaccine combines three proprietary peptides that elicit an immune response in patients with celiac disease who carry the immune recognition gene HLA-DQ2. In the three week study, the safety and tolerability profile of Nexvax2 were similar to placebo. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common at the highest dose, confirming the selection of the toxic peptides that can eventually induce tolerance. Symptoms and mobilization of gluten-specific T-cells observed after administration of Nexvax2 were similar to those triggered by acute oral gluten exposure in HLA-DQ2 patients on a gluten-free diet. This suggests these same peptides may be used in an in-vitro diagnostic for HLA-DQ2 celiac disease.

“The Nexvax2 immunotherapy is designed to desensitize celiac disease patients to the toxic effects of gluten. In our Phase 1 study, Nexvax2 was safe and well tolerated, and importantly we saw a Nexvax2-specific T-cell response that confirms the desired bioactivity in HLA-DQ2 genotype patients,” said Dr. Anderson.

“As we continue the clinical development of Nexvax2, which we expect to advance to a Phase 2a trial within the next ten months, we hope to demonstrate a dramatic reduction of the body’s rejection of dietary gluten so patients can resume a normal diet and return to good health,” Dr. Anderson continued.

In addition to his role at ImmusanT, Dr. Anderson is a gastroenterologist and highly respected expert in immunology and clinical management of celiac disease at the Department of Gastroenterology at Melbourne Health and Professor at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

View Dr. Anderson’s summary of DDW Poster #SU1235, presented Sunday, May 8th, on the DDWMeeting YouTube Channel.

Dr. Anderson and collaborating researchers also presented at DDW results from the first population study that supports the use of a combination of HLA-DQ genetic and serology tests to determine the prevalence of celiac disease. Whereas a single screening serology test followed by biopsy (per medical guidelines) can be expensive by creating many unnecessary gastroscopies, the problem is overcome by including additional serology and HLA-DQ genotyping tests. The study also concluded that the cost per diagnosis can be reduced by up to 50% by introducing HLA-DQ genotyping to reduce gastroscopies, which also makes this a cost-effective and efficient diagnostic method appropriate for the primary care setting.

ImmusanT is collaborating with INOVA Diagnostics to develop improved serologic tests for celiac disease. In addition, ImmusanT is developing its own functional T-cell diagnostic, designed to be used both as a standalone test as well as a monitoring test for the therapeutic.

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