betula verrucosa pollen extract

Betula verrucosa pollen extract (marketed as Itulazax in Europe and Itulatek in Canada) is a sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet developed by ALK (ALK-Abelló). It is formulated as a fast-dissolving sublingual lyophilisate containing a standardized quality (SQ) allergen extract of pollen from white birch (*Betula verrucosa*), with the primary active component being the major birch allergen Bet v 1. The drug is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis induced by pollen from trees in the birch homologous group (which includes birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, beech, and oak) in adults and children (aged 5 years and older) who have a clinical history of symptoms despite using symptom-relieving medications. It works by desensitizing the immune system through repeated, controlled sublingual exposure to the allergen, thereby inducing immunological tolerance (such as shifting the immune response from IgE-mediated to IgG4-mediated) and reducing allergic symptoms over a recommended three-year treatment course.

Brand names

ItulazaxItulatek

Other names

birch pollen allergen immunotherapy tabletstandardised allergen extract of pollen from white birch (Betula verrucosa)white birch pollen allergen extracttree sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet