New strategy for treating allergic disorders

Oral intake of allergens or auto-antigens via the lactic acid bacterium **Lactococcus lactis** might be a new strategy for treating various kinds of auto-immune and allergic disorders. VIB researchers associated with Ghent University, in collaboration with the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, have shown that auto-antigens or allergens can be administered orally via the lactic acid bacterium. Based on this principle, which has been patented by VIB, ActoGeniX a spin-off from VIB and Ghent University is already developing a variety of **biopharmaceutical medicines** for a range of clinical indications. In its natural form, the lactic acid bacterium (Lactococcus lactis) is a well-known food bacterium that has been used since time immemorial to convert milk into cheese and yoghurt. In the battle against chronic intestinal diseases, VIB researchers have been using L. lactis as a producer of a drug against gastroenteritis. The initial results of the clinical trials are promising... Whole article on "Bionity":[ http://www.bionity.com/news/e/66745/]

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