Breakthrough Treatment for Chronic Hives New Immunological Approach

Chronic urticaria (hives) affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly impact quality of life. EVAX AG has developed a novel immunological treatment approach that addresses the underlying immune mechanisms driving persistent hives, offering patients an effective new therapeutic option.

The Problem

Urticaria, commonly known as hives or welts, is a skin condition characterized by raised, itchy bumps that can appear and disappear unpredictably. While acute urticaria typically resolves within days or weeks, chronic urticaria persists for six weeks or longer, affecting approximately 1-3% of the population. For many patients, chronic urticaria significantly impacts quality of life, sleep, productivity, and emotional well-being. The condition results from complex immune mechanisms. In most cases of chronic urticaria, the immune system mistakenly targets certain skin cells (mast cells) or produces autoantibodies, triggering excessive release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. While antihistamines help manage symptoms for many patients, they are ineffective for approximately 30-50% of chronic urticaria sufferers, leaving these patients with limited options. Existing treatments focus mainly on symptom management through antihistamines and corticosteroids. More advanced options include biologic therapies targeting specific immune pathways, but these are expensive and not universally effective. There is significant clinical need for new therapeutic approaches that address underlying immune dysregulation more directly.

What This Invention Does

EVAX AG has developed an immunological treatment that modulates the immune response driving chronic urticaria. The approach works by engaging specific immune regulatory mechanisms that reduce the aberrant activation of mast cells and other immune cells responsible for the urticarial reaction. By rebalancing immune function rather than simply suppressing symptoms, the therapy addresses the root cause of the condition. The treatment involves carefully selected immunological components designed to promote immune tolerance and reduce pathogenic immune responses. This approach can potentially induce longer-lasting remission or resolution compared to purely symptomatic treatments. The mechanism is distinct from existing biologic therapies, potentially offering benefit to patients who have not responded to other treatments. The immunological approach offers the potential for disease modification – actually changing the underlying immune dysregulation rather than requiring continuous symptom suppression. If successful, patients might achieve sustained remission or even resolution of urticaria after completing a defined treatment course.

Key Features

Immune-Modulating Mechanism. The treatment engages immune regulatory pathways to reduce aberrant mast cell activation.

Root Cause Targeting. Addresses underlying immune dysregulation rather than simply suppressing urticarial symptoms.

Potential Disease Modification. May induce sustained remission or resolution of chronic urticaria through immune rebalancing.

Novel Immune Pathway. Distinct mechanism from existing biologic therapies, potentially beneficial for treatment-resistant patients.

Improved Quality of Life. Aimed at achieving sustained symptom control and enabling normal daily functioning.

Who Is Behind It?

EVAX AG is developing this innovation with inventors Gabriel Antonia. The company is based in Switzerland. This patent application is a divisional of an earlier filing, indicating ongoing development and refinement of the core technology over multiple patent generations.

Why It Matters

The chronic urticaria market exceeds USD 2 billion annually. Patients dissatisfied with existing treatments represent a significant unmet need. A disease-modifying immunological treatment could achieve substantial market penetration by offering superior efficacy and potentially long-term remission. The ability to help treatment-resistant patients would be particularly valuable clinically and commercially.

Patent classifications cover immunological therapies (A61K 39/00), dermatological applications (A61P 17/02), immunological system treatments (A61P 37/08), and therapeutic proteins (C07K 14/54). This positioning emphasizes the immunological and dermatological innovation within the broader pharmaceutical field.

---

AU 2026201375 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.

Related Concepts

Urticaria is driven by the activation of mast cells in the skin, which release histamine and other mediators causing characteristic wheals. Standard first-line management relies on antihistamines, but roughly one-third of chronic sufferers do not respond adequately and require advanced therapies.

Biologic treatments such as omalizumab have advanced the field by targeting the upstream immunological cascade. Immunomodulatory strategies that promote immune tolerance represent the next frontier, aiming for durable remission rather than continuous symptom suppression.