Safety and Dose Finding Trial of BM32 in Subjects Suffering From Grass Pollen Allergy

Safety and Dose Finding Study Based on the Effects of Three Subcutaneous Injections of BM32, a Recombinant Hypoallergenic Grass Pollen Vaccine, on Responses to Allergen Challenge by Skin Testing and in the Vienna Challenge Chamber (VCC) as Well as Immunological Response in Subjects Know to Suffer From Grass-pollen Induced Allergic Rhinitis

The study will evaluate the dose response of immunotherapy against grass pollen allergy using the recombinant grass pollen vaccine BM32. Efficacy will be analyzed by:

• skin prick testing
• grass pollen inhalation challenge
• antibody responses. In addition, the safety of subcutaneous application of BM32 will be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of seasonal allergic rhinitis from grass pollen
• Normal electrocardiogram
• Moderate to severe response to approx. 1500 grass pollen grains/m3 after 2 hrs of exposure in challenge chamber
• Positive skin prick test for grass pollen at or within 12 months preceding screening visit
• Positive RAST (class 2 or higher) for timothy grass pollen and to rPhl p 1 + rPhl p 5 at or within 12 months preceding screening visit

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating females
• Females with childbearing potential not using medically acceptable birth control
• Structural nasal abnormalities, nasal polyposis, history of frequent nosebleeds, recent nasal surgery or ongoing upper respiratory tract infection
• Any respiratory disease other than mild asthma controlled with occasional short acting beta agonists and normal lung function
• Current or recent participation in another clinical trial
• SIT for grass pollen allergy in the last two years prior to study
• Past or present disease, which may affect outcome of the trial, judged by investigator
• Autoimmune diseases, immune defects including immunosuppression, immune- complex immunopathies
• Suspected hypersensitivity to any ingredients of study medication
• Use of prohibited medication prior to screening and throughout study
• depot corticosteroids (12 weeks)
• oral corticosteroids (8 weeks)
• inhaled corticosteroids (4 weeks)
• Allergic symptoms at the time of screening