2007 Hay Fever Season was 40 Percent Longer, but Milder


HØRSHOLM, Denmark, September 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- Physicians Recommend Patients Prepare for Next Season by Starting
Treatment With the World's First Tablet-Based Vaccine Against Grass Allergy,
GRAZAX(R), This Fall

The grass pollen season for 2007 in seven European countries(a) lasted 40
percent longer than last year yet had fewer peak pollen days.(1) Overall,
the season was longer, yet milder, but showed substantial regional variation.
Italy had a long and dry season with approximately 110 pollen days with the
UK following up with nearly 80 pollen days. Scandinavian countries also
experienced a longer than normal season however due to rains probably milder.
This is documented by pollen counts from an ongoing international clinical
trial with the world's first tablet-based allergy vaccine, GRAZAX(R).

Within the last decade, the traditional season for grass pollen was as
short as 45 days starting from end May to end July. This year, the season
lasted approximately 100 days, beginning at the first week of April and
continuing until the last week of August.

Scientists -cite the change on global warming - adding that the
lengthening of the season mirror the trend across the rest of Europe and is
expected to continue for the future.(2)

This means that unpredictable pollen seasons may continue to plague grass
allergy sufferers with symptoms such as sneezing, blocked nose, runny nose,
itchy nose, gritty eyes and watery eyes.

Prepare for Next Pollen Season

Sufferers who are looking for long-term grass allergy symptom prevention
should consider GRAZAX(R) treatment, which can be initiated at any time from
the first day after the end of one grass pollen season, until 2 months prior
to the expected start of the next grass pollen season.

GRAZAX(R) was launched this year and is the first allergy tablet that
treats the underlying cause of grass pollen allergy as well as the symptoms.
It works by inducing a protective immune response, which reduces and
potentially halts the allergic reaction to grass pollen.

"Grazax is effective for hayfever if taken for a minimum of 8 weeks
before the pollen season. The effect of the grass tablet is markedly improved
if treatment is started at least 4 months before the season, so the earlier
the better" said Dr. Stephen Durham, Professor at Imperial College and Royal
Brompton Hospital.

GRAZAX(R) Relieves Eye and Nose Symptoms

Data shows that 82% of patients treated with GRAZAX(R) say they feel
'better' or 'much better' in the first treatment season compared with 
previous seasons.(b) In terms of individual symptoms, consistent and highly 
significant reductions in all individual eye and nose symptoms were observed 
following treatment with GRAZAX(R) compared with placebo.

The Link Between Allergy and Asthma

It is well known that a person suffering from one allergy has an
increased risk of developing more allergies and asthma - an occurrence dubbed
the "allergic march".

Immunotherapy is currently the only treatment option that targets the
underlying allergic disease while at the same time prevents the development
of new allergies and asthma.

Symptom Relief with Possible Long Lasting Preventative Effects

While long-term studies are still being conducted on GRAZAX(R), recently
at the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, which took
place from 9-13 June, 2007 in Göteborg, Sweden, ALK-Abelló presented top-line
results from the second treatment year in a long-term study with GRAZAX(R).
In this study GRAZAX(R) shows highly significant efficacy and progressive
immunological changes over two years of continuous treatment.

GRAZAX(R) and Alutard SQ(R) are trademarks owned by ALK-Abelló A/S.

(a) Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and United
Kingdom

(b) When compared to placebo at 49 percent

(1) GTO8 Study Data on file.

(2) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Report,
Environmental Health Perspectives

For further information, please contact:

    Sharmi Albrechtsen, 
    International Brand Communication Manager, 
    ALK-Abelló
    Phone: +45-45747555

    Jacob Frische, 
    Director, 
    ALK-Abelló Group Communications 
    Phone: +45-45747551 or +45-22247551



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