If you’re included in the 10 per cent of all Aussies who turn into a sneezy, wheezy, rashy mess the second they come into contact with a furry feline, listen up: there might ~finally~ be a way to knock your allergies on the head.
Scientists in Switzerland have developed a new vaccine that promises to stop humans from having allergic reactions to cats. The best part? You don’t have to go anywhere near a needle.
Aptly named HypoCat, the shot is actually administered to the pet – not the owner – and works by “immunising cats against their own major allergen.” This allergen is known as Fel d 1 and is present in the protein in their saliva and skin secretions.
“Our HypoCat vaccine is able to produce high levels of antibodies in cats,” HypoPet CEO Gary Jennings said in a statement. “These antibodies can bind and neutralize the Fel d 1 allergen produced by the animals.”
Over four separate studies involving 54 cats in total, the vaccine was “well-tolerated without any overt toxicity.” As a result, the company has been in talks with drug approval agencies and has already started conducting clinical trials and looking into the viability of mass production.
“If all goes as planned then we hope to reach the market in 2022,” Jennings added.
We can only hope.
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