The food allergy community is buzzing about new treatments for food allergies and anaphylaxis. These developments are potential game-changers for people managing this condition. We sat down with Eleanor Garrow-Holding, President & CEO of FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team), who gave us an inside look at some promising new treatments for food allergies and anaphylaxis.
Understanding Food Allergies
You’ve probably heard about it: food allergies are becoming more common. That’s not just a statistic; there’s a huge community facing this daily. In the US alone, the number of people with food allergies has doubled since the 1990’s.
Over 32 million Americans have at least one food allergy. Roughly 6 million of them are children. With 1 in 13 kids having an identified food allergy, that’s about two kids in every classroom who are affected.
These numbers are scary. For many people who have a food allergy, allergen exposure – even a tiny amount – can lead to anaphylaxis. That’s a sudden and severe allergic reaction that may cause death if not treated immediately. When anaphylaxis strikes, time is of the essence.
According to the FDA, over 160 foods have been shown to cause allergic reactions. When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly responds to a certain food as it were harmful to you, leading to an allergic reaction.
However, just nine foods or food groups account for 90% of the most serious allergic reactions: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for food allergies. While children may grow out of some food allergies, they are usually a lifelong condition. That’s why having safe, effective, and convenient new treatments for food allergies and anaphylaxis is so important.
Epinephrine: The standard (but flawed) treatment
Epinephrine has been the go-to emergency treatment for anaphylaxis since 1939. In 1987 the FDA approved the EpiPen, which delivers the drug via a pre-dosed auto-injector. Still today, the epinephrine auto-injector is the gold standard for treatment of anaphylaxis.
While auto-injector pens are lifesavers, they’re not a perfect solution for everyone. They can be tricky to use in stressful situations, and injections can cause injury if not administered correctly. And let’s be honest, needles are scary for some people – whether you’re administering or receiving the injection.
On top of that, auto-injectors are bulky and inconvenient to carry – raising the risk that you might not have the treatment you need, when you need it.
"Teens and college age people are at the highest risk for anaphylaxis because they don't always carry their EpiPens. It will be wonderful to have more options so everyone can choose what's best for them."
Picture this: your son or daughter is having lunch at school. Suddenly, they can’t breathe because they are accidentally exposed to an allergen. The kids around your child call out for help, and the lunch aide rushes to find the nurse.
The nurse, who is the only person trained to use the epinephrine pen, needs to grab the pen from a locked closet and rush to the lunchroom. Then they must administer the injection, which can be a challenge – especially in a high-stress situation where every second counts. Will your child receive the life-saving treatment in time?
Since 1987, only minor improvements have been made to epinephrine delivery. Auvi-Q came onto the market in 2013. As an advanced auto-injector, it has features that make it more user-friendly. For example, it provides voice instructions on how to administer the injection, has a retractable needle to avoid needle stick injuries, and is small enough to fit in a pocket. When used for severe allergic reactions Auvi-Q shows improved outcomes, but it’s still needle-dependent.
Exciting new treatments are on the way
Thankfully, new options are coming to market to address these concerns and deliver innovative new treatments for food allergies and anaphylaxis.
One of those new treatments is available now. In February 2024, the FDA approved Xolair as a treatment to reduce allergic reactions following accidental exposure to one or more foods. It’s a continuous treatment of injections given every 2 or 4 weeks. Xolair aims to reduce the severity of allergic reactions, but it’s not meant for use as a rescue medication for anaphylaxis.
Several other exciting new treatments are on the horizon. Here’s a look at what’s coming:
- Aquestive – Anaphylm: This dissolvable film goes under the tongue to treat anaphylaxis. The oral use of epinephrine is novel. Because the film is about the size of a postage stamp, Anaphylm should make a dose of epinephrine easier to administer. The company expects to file for FDA approval by the end of 2024.
- Neffy – ARS Pharma: Neffy is a needle-free, low-dose nasal spray that’s a potential rescue medication for anaphylaxis. Neffy needs further studies before hitting the market.
- Bryn Pharma: The company is developing an affordable, user-friendly, needle-free epinephrine nasal spray. Bryn Pharma’s option is currently in clinical trials.
- Palforzia: This groundbreaking treatment is currently available through a restricted program. Palforzia works by gradually reducing the sensitivity to peanut allergens, potentially reducing the risk of accidental exposure. It’s the first of its kind for peanut allergies and is targeted for use in children aged 4-17.
These new treatments offer a lot of hope. They’re easier to use, may be more affordable, and some ditch the needles altogether. With successful trials and FDA approval, these new options could be a major relief for millions managing food allergies.
The inspiring story of FAACT
FAACT isn’t just one of the leading authorities on food allergies. It’s a testament to the unwavering love a mother has for her child. FAACT’s story begins not in a boardroom, but with a parent’s fear when their child faces a life-threatening situation.
When he was 19 months old, Eleanor Garrow Holding’s son Thomas had a near-death reaction to pecans. After he was diagnosed with severe food allergies, Eleanor felt alone and isolated. She didn’t know anything about food allergies and was unsure where to turn for help.
Faced with this challenge, Eleanor got to work. After thoroughly educating herself about food allergies, she started a support group for families like hers. Over time, the support and services provided expanded and merged with other food allergy organizations to become FAACT – the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team.
Nearly twenty years later, FAACT is an inclusive and powerful force. It’s more than just advocacy or information. FAACT offers unity, hope, and help for people living with life-threatening allergies.
FAACT is your resource for food allergy information and support
Food allergy is a big topic that affects people at all stages of life. FAACT has a wide range of resources for every phase of your food allergy journey. Here are some you’ll find helpful.
- Information for Newly Diagnosed Individuals: Helpful tips and strategies to manage your food allergies – including avoiding triggers, carrying emergency medication, understanding anaphylaxis signs, and using epinephrine auto-injectors safely.
- Parent and Caregiver Resources: A comprehensive guide to food allergy management, how to read food labels, finding support, and how to advocate for your child.
- College Resource Center: Information to empower college students to safely navigate this life transition with confidence. Find a college toolkit, information regarding legal considerations, and how to navigate food services and dining halls.
- Resources for Adults with Food Allergies: Essential resources and support for adults navigating life with food allergies.
- Food Allergy Civil Rights Advocacy: A guide to understanding food allergy rights, legal protections and advocacy resources. FAACT is the only food allergy organization to offer free counsel and legal advice to help you understand and protect your rights.
In addition, FAACT has events for children and adults living with food allergies.
- Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang): A week-long day camp for children with allergies (ages 4-7) and their siblings. Camp is held in Ohio and Tennessee.
- Food Allergy and Research Summit: A forum for the food industry, physicians, pharmaceutical companies and people with food allergies to strategize ways to meet the needs of the food allergy community.
- Digital Influencer Summit: This first-of-its-kind event unites bloggers, influencers, patients, caregivers, and medical professionals for an empowering experience.
MedicAlert + FAACT partnership
MedicAlert Foundation is a proud partner of FAACT. Similar to FAACT, MedicAlert Foundation was inspired by a father’s desire to protect his daughter from life-threatening allergies. FAACT and MedicAlert work together to raise awareness about food allergies. and provide tools for the food allergy community to enhance quality of life.
Find out how MedicAlert protects you or a loved one living with food allergies. To keep you safe during an anaphylactic emergency, MedicAlert is an essential part of your food allergy toolkit. And MedicAlert is not just for food allergies; we have medical IDs and services for people living with all kinds of allergies and other chronic medical conditions – learn more here.
Without a doubt, this is an exciting time for food allergy research. With new treatments for food allergies and anaphylaxis on the horizon – and strong organizations like FAACT leading the charge for change – there’s a lot of hope for the future.
Many thanks to Eleanor Garrow-Holding and FAACT for their contributions to this article.
