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.

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.

Source:
DBV demonstrates