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

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