Since April 1st, 2010 , the first project is running in collaboration with MediGene, Germany.

It aims at succeeding with proof of concept studies for a novel generation of mimotope vaccines against allergy and cancer based on virus-like particles as innovative carrier.

At present, immunotherapy against allergies (also called hyposensitization) is still performed with extracts derived from crude allergen sources, such as house dust mite extracts, or extracts from grass pollen. This implies that the patient is not only desensitized against allergens, but also newly exposed to irrelevant compounds of the extract. We aim to avoid this by very specifically applying mimotopes, i.e. small structures that mimic the specific allergen. These mimotopes lead to the production of immunoglobulins blocking the allergic reaction - so-called blocking antibodies.

In cancer, immunotherapy is today performed in a passive mode, by supplying the patients´ blood with immunoglobulins against specific molecules of her/his cancer cells. In contrast to these passive immunotherapies, we aim to actively stimulate the patient´s immune system to build up own antibodies. This principle is well known from vaccines against infectious diseases and we are convinced that within a few years, vaccination will be a real option for patients.