DBV Demonstrates Ability of VIASKIN® to Administer Allergen via Intact Skin by Targeting Dendritic Cells for Safe Treatment of Allergic Disease

By showing all the steps of the passage of an allergen through the intact skin, this study gives the keys of the Treg-oriented mechanism of the safest method of specific immunotherapy in food allergy. Data published in Journal of Immunology by V. Dioszeghy, PhD, and the DBV research team

“With this study we have now demonstrated the different immunological steps involved and have confirmed the safety of our VIASKIN® method of food allergy desensitization. Clinical trials of VIASKIN® Peanut Epicutaneous Immunotherapy have already begun. VIASKIN® represents the perfect answer to the question of antigen delivery – simple, supremely versatile and pain-free.” Pierre-Henri Benhamou, M.D., CEO.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DBV Technologies, an emerging biotechnology company, announced today that a study¹—“Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) Results in Rapid Allergen Uptake by Dendritic Cells through Intact Skin and Downregulates the Allergen-Specific Response in Mice“—published in the Journal of Immunology confirms the safety of the Company’s VIASKIN® epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) approach to desensitizing against peanut allergy via a novel and patented skin patch.

“Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) Results in Rapid Allergen Uptake by Dendritic Cells through Intact Skin and Downregulates the Allergen-Specific Response in Mice“—published in the Journal of Immunology confirms the safety of the Company’s VIASKIN® epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) approach to desensitizing against peanut allergy via a novel and patented skin patch.”

DBV is the only company in the world whose products are designed to epicutaneously (via a skin patch) deliver allergens for Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) against food allergies such as peanut and milk. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only strategy that treats the underlying cause of an allergic disorder. DBV’s proprietary epicutaneous patch technology — VIASKIN® — involves maintaining an allergen on the intact skin of an allergic subject for repeated and prolonged periods in order to obtain clinical desensitization to the targeted allergen.

“Since there are no known treatments for food allergies, many children and their families live with the constant fear of ingesting a life-threatening food,” said Pierre-Henri Benhamou, M.D., co-founder and CEO of DBV Technologies. “VIASKIN® is designed to trigger the desired immune response while avoiding the risk of a systemic, life-threatening reaction. The evidence published in the esteemed peer-reviewed Journal of Immunology fortifies our ongoing development efforts for VIASKIN®.”

About VIASKIN® Technology

When the VIASKIN® patch containing a specific allergen is applied to the skin of a patient with an IgE-mediated allergy — such as peanuts or milk — the allergens are deposited locally on the skin and are captured specifically by the skin’s immuno-competent cells. This triggers the modulations of the immune responses. The epicutaneous exposure is non-invasive: the skin naturally prevents the allergen from entering the bloodstream and thereby dramatically reduces the risk of inducing anaphylaxis. The VIASKIN® patch is designed to be easily and painlessly applied by healthcare professionals and also by the patient or his/her parents at home, which facilitates compliance with the treatment.

About VIASKIN® Peanut Immunotherapy

A phase 1b clinical study of VIASKIN® Peanut is underway at five centers in the U.S. — Duke University Medical Center, National Jewish Medical Research Center, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, CRI Worldwide, and Aspen Clinical Research. VIASKIN® Peanut’s development is also supported by the NIH-funded Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) and other opinion leaders in allergy in the United States.

About DBV Technologies

DBV Technologies is the only company in the world whose products are designed to epicutaneously deliver on intact skin — via an epicutaneous patch — allergens for Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) against food allergies. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only strategy that treats the underlying cause of an allergic disorder. DBV’s proprietary epicutaneous patch technology — VIASKIN® — involves maintaining an allergen on the skin of an allergic subject for repeated and prolonged periods in order to obtain clinical desensitization.

1“Epicutaneous Immunotherapy (EPIT) Results in Rapid Allergen Uptake by Dendritic Cells through Intact Skin and Downregulates the Allergen-Specific Response in Mice”, J Immunol; 14 April 2011; V. Dioszeghy et al.

NOTE: VIASKIN® Peanut is only for investigational use at the moment in the USA and in Europe.

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