ALK's ACARIZAX Recommended by NICE for House Dust Mite Allergic Rhinitis Treatment in UK.

ALK's ACARIZAX, a sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet, has been recommended by NICE for use in the UK health system. The treatment is for persistent, moderate to severe house dust mite allergic rhinitis in adults and adolescents, making it the first of its kind to become widely available through the NHS. The recommendation paves the way for patients to access ACARIZAX through the NHS, expanding ALK's presence in the UK market.

ALK's ACARIZAX, a groundbreaking sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet, has recently been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use in the UK National Health System (NHS) [1]. This approval marks a significant milestone for ALK, expanding its presence in the UK market and providing access to a larger patient base.

The recommendation applies to adults and adolescents with persistent, moderate to severe house dust mite allergic rhinitis, making ACARIZAX the first sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet to be widely available through the NHS [1]. This development paves the way for patients to receive effective treatment for their allergies, addressing the underlying cause rather than relying solely on symptom-relieving medications.

The approval is based on the results of the largest-ever paediatric allergy immunotherapy Phase 3 clinical trial, MT-12 [1]. This trial, which involved 1,458 children in North America and Europe, demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ACARIZAX in children aged five to 11 with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis with or without asthma [1]. The trial's results were recently published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, further solidifying the evidence supporting the use of ACARIZAX [1].

House dust mite allergies are a common cause of respiratory allergies, particularly in children, and are closely linked to asthma [1]. According to estimates, more than ten million children aged five to 11 worldwide have uncontrolled respiratory allergies, and the number is growing [1]. With this approval, the UK NHS can now offer a potentially transformative treatment option for these patients.

ALK's Executive Vice President of R&D, Henriette Mersebach, expressed her enthusiasm for the approval, stating, "Today's approval marks an important step forward for our ability to transform the medical treatment of children with allergies, as well as for ALK's long-term growth ambitions" [1].

In conclusion, NICE's recommendation of ALK's ACARIZAX for use in the UK NHS marks a significant milestone for the company and the treatment of house dust mite allergies. This approval provides access to a larger patient base and offers a potentially transformative treatment option for patients with uncontrolled respiratory allergies.

References:
[1] ALK's ACARIZAX approved in Europe for treatment of young children. (2024, December 12). Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/12/2996326/0/en/ACARIZAX-approved-in-Europe-for-treatment-of-young-children.html