[iStockphoto: White Bear Studio]
Ayass Bioscience, a cutting-edge molecular medicine firm located in Frisco, Texas, has announced a groundbreaking advance in allergy management. The firm’s research team has unveiled an innovative “aptamer-based solution” aimed at neutralizing peanut allergens, a development that holds promise for safeguarding both children and adults susceptible to severe allergic reactions.
Mohamad Ayass, M.D.
Under the direction of the company’s visionary founder and president, Mohamad Ayass, M.D., the research team successfully identified and engineered AYA22A aptamers. These specialized molecular compounds are designed to selectively target and attach to specific peanut proteins, which are responsible for the majority of adverse peanut allergy responses in the United States.
The innovative aptamers act to prevent these allergens from triggering the body’s immune system, effectively neutralizing them prior to any potential harm, according to the company’s statement. This represents a significant advancement in the realm of allergy treatment.
“Our AYA22A aptamers technology is a revolutionary step in peanut allergy management,” Dr. Ayass emphasized in an official statement. “This is a safe, non-invasive solution that doesn’t require genetic modification to the peanuts or traditional immunotherapy for the patient. This could mean the end of strict peanut avoidance for allergy sufferers, offering them freedom and peace of mind with the end goal of eliminating the unnecessary stress, death, and even costs associated with peanut allergies.”
Peanut allergies affect around 2% of Americans
Peanut allergies impact approximately 2% of the U.S. population, accounting for about 1.6 million children and 4.6 million adults. Symptoms can range dramatically from mild irritation to life-threatening reactions. Dr. Ayass cites Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statistics that suggest the economic burden posed by peanut allergies amounts to an estimated $24.8 billion annually.
“Every day, children and adults are hospitalized due to peanut allergies,” stated Dr. Lina Mosleh, a vice president and principal scientist at Ayass Bioscience. “With this new aptamer technology, we’re one step closer to creating a world where peanut allergies are a thing of the past. Our goal is for those with peanut allergies to live in a world where avoidance is not the only solution.”
Historically, treatment options for peanut allergies have been relatively few. While oral immunotherapy, such as Palforzia, seeks to desensitize individuals, it demands a lengthy commitment. Other treatments, including Omalizumab and epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT), remain under research and have yielded mixed outcomes.
The company asserts its aptamer-based solution could extend its impact beyond individual treatment paradigms, with potential applications in agriculture, food production, and decontamination. This technology also opens doors for the development of allergy-friendly peanut products and solutions designed to diminish peanut contamination in diverse environments, according to Dr. Ayass.
Current treatment options ‘have been limited’
The statement from Ayass Bioscience underscores the limitations of current treatment options. While oral immunotherapy methods like Palforzia exist to desensitize patients, they require sustained effort over time. Other approaches like Omalizumab and epicutaneous immunotherapy continue to be scrutinized, with results that have been decidedly mixed.
Looking ahead, Ayass Bioscience is actively working to bring its pioneering solution to market through strategic partnerships with leading companies in agriculture, decontamination, and food production sectors.
Moreover, the company is eager to extend its research by initiating clinical trials that explore applications for other perilous food allergies beyond peanuts.
The research conducted by Ayass Bioscience has been published through the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MPDI) platform, which serves as an open-access scientific journal and can be explored here.
Founded in 2015, Ayass’ Aptamer Center located in Frisco features a specialized computational biology department tasked with designing aptamers for both molecular detection and therapeutic applications. The company is committed to bridging the divide “between advanced laboratory techniques and day-to-day patient care.”
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
Long’s Austin-based Re:wild and Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences have announced a new partnership to accelerate global efforts “to save species on the brink of extinction, search for lost species, and restore key habitats for species recovery and rewilding.”
-
Silicon Valley-based autonomous driving startup Plus has announced a partnership with brands of the Munich-based TRATON GROUP. The partners say they’re already testing self-driving trucking runs between Dallas and Houston with a safety driver on board—and more runs are coming “in the Texas triangle and I-10 corridor.”
-
The strategic acquisition grows ECI’s distribution portfolio with “powerful technology” designed to support long-term needs and future growth plans for its commercial furniture dealer customers, ECI said.
-
Colossal Biosciences and production partner Teton Ridge Entertainment have signed with James Reed, director of the Oscar-winning Netflix documentary “My Octopus Teacher,” and his company Underdog Films, to produce the docuseries.
-
Securus Technologies stated that the availability of education programs to incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities can positively impact their skills and future employment outcomes, thus significantly reducing recidivism rates.
What are the main advantages of using aptamer-based solutions for peanut allergies compared to traditional treatment methods?
**Interview with Dr. Mohamad Ayass, Founder and President of Ayass Bioscience**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ayass. Let’s dive right into your groundbreaking research. Can you explain what aptamers are and how they work in this context?
**Dr. Ayass:** Thank you for having me. Aptamers are short, single-stranded RNA or DNA molecules that can bind specifically to target proteins. In our case, the AYA22A aptamers have been engineered to selectively attach to peanut proteins that trigger allergic reactions. By binding to these proteins, we aim to prevent them from eliciting an immune response in allergic individuals.
**Editor:** That sounds promising! What makes this aptamer-based solution different from existing treatments for peanut allergies?
**Dr. Ayass:** Traditional treatments, such as oral immunotherapy and other pharmaceuticals, often require long-term commitments and do not eliminate the allergen’s presence. Our solution is non-invasive and does not involve modifying the peanuts or relying on patient compliance with a treatment regimen. It represents a potential shift away from strict avoidance strategies towards a more manageable lifestyle for those affected.
**Editor:** You mentioned potential applications beyond allergy treatment, such as in agriculture and food production. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Ayass:** Absolutely. The technology could be utilized to create allergy-friendly peanut products, which may help mitigate the risk of accidental exposure. Additionally, our aptamers could be used in decontamination processes to reduce peanut cross-contamination in food environments, making it safer for individuals with severe allergies.
**Editor:** Peanut allergies affect a significant number of people in the U.S., as you noted previously. Can you describe the broader impact this solution could have on public health and the economy?
**Dr. Ayass:** Peanut allergies currently pose a substantial burden, both in terms of healthcare costs and quality of life for individuals and families. If our technology proves successful, we could significantly reduce hospitalizations and associated healthcare costs, which the FDA estimates to be about $24.8 billion annually. More importantly, it would improve the lived experiences of millions, giving them the freedom to enjoy social situations without the constant fear of an allergic reaction.
**Editor:** What are the next steps for Ayass Bioscience after this research breakthrough?
**Dr. Ayass:** We’re focused on developing strategic partnerships for commercialization. Additionally, we will be initiating clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of our aptamer technology not just for peanut allergies but for other food allergies as well. Our goal is to expedite this innovative solution to market as soon as possible while ensuring rigorous scientific standards.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Ayass, for sharing your insights. It sounds like Ayass Bioscience is on the brink of monumental change in allergy management.
**Dr. Ayass:** Thank you! We’re excited about the potential of our research and look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of those with food allergies.