Cliff Han's lollipops aren't like those you'd typically find in the checkout aisle.
His startup in Los Alamos, called AllerPops, is trying to commercialize lollipops that combat allergies by stimulating the growth of certain bacteria within the body. And now, AllerPops is starting a clinical trial. The trials are to be done with Health Canada, similar to the Department of Health in the U.S.
AllerPops's clinical trial represents the latest step in commercialization for the startup, which has already made its product available to customers.
The study will start this spring and will include two groups. One group will use the lollipops for one week (after which use becomes optional). The second group will also use the lollipops, but instead of letting it melt in their mouth, they will be asked to swallow them, according to Han.
"This is allergy season, so it's easier to do this. There are many potential participants," he said.
The trial will be randomized and "double blind," meaning neither participants nor researchers know which type of treatment is being given while the experiment is ongoing.
"We actually want to use the clinical trial [sic.] as an instrument to promote AllerPops to the national market," Han told Albuquerque Business First, adding that the trial will have about 72 participants. "So, that's why I think this is critical."
Han originally found the formula for his lollipops through some at-home experimentation after facing a severe bout of seasonal allergies. In doing so, he found that two groups of bacteria seemingly calm the immune system because of certain chemical signals they produce, alleviating the symptoms of sinus allergies.
That formula was patented in 2017. But with the clinical trials, AllerPops will have a chance to prove its effectiveness in a formalized setting. Han said it took about a year to get regulatory approval.
As of November 2021, AllerPops had raised roughly $1.25 million, including $258,000 from investors on virtual crowdfunding platform WeFunder. At the time, Han said AllerPops would need an additional $300,000 for clinical trials.
"Right now, we['ve] got enough funds for the clinical trial," Han said.
In addition to Han, AllerPops has a remote CMO and consultant Amanda Giannini, who helps with fundraising and financing. Giannini also works as chief financial officer for real estate data firm DXD Capital and was the former finance lead at geospatial data and analytics group Descartes Labs.
AllerPops are available at stories scattered throughout Los Alamos, Corrales, Santa Fe and Illinois, according to the startup.
