Cat-PAD (NIOX Group)

Cat-PAD (also known as ToleroMune Cat or Cat-SPIRE) is a peptide-based immunotherapy developed by Circassia Limited for the treatment of cat allergy-induced rhinoconjunctivitis. The drug represents a novel class of synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes (SPIREs) designed to induce long-term immune tolerance. Its active ingredient consists of seven synthetic peptides derived from the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, which specifically target allergen-specific T cells. Unlike traditional allergen immunotherapy, Cat-PAD peptides are designed to be too short to cross-link IgE on the surface of mast cells and basophils, thereby significantly reducing the risk of systemic IgE-mediated allergic reactions. Although the drug showed promise in Phase 2 trials, a large Phase 3 study failed to meet its primary endpoint in 2016, leading to the termination of the program.

Brand names

ToleroMune Cat

Other names

Cat-SPIREToleroMune Cat