Food Allergy Innovations: Breakthrough Treatments

ClostraBio

Scientists at the University of Chicago, starting out in the research lab, are developing a drug to treat childhood food allergies. Their breakthrough discoveries about the gut’s complex microbiome – a population of trillions of bacteria living inside all of us – and its ability to create a barrier that stops allergens from entering the bloodstream, led to the creation of ClostraBio. While new medications are still a year or two from clinical trials, they’ve already identified a difference in the gut bacteria of babies who had cow’s milk allergies and infants who did not.

Details: clostrabio.com

Aimmune Therapeutics Inc.

Aimmune’s lead product candidate, AR101, seeks to safely and reliably protect peanut-allergic children and adults in cases of accidental exposure to peanut. People who receive this promising treatment will sprinkle gradually increasing amounts of AR101 on their food over a set amount of time, with the goal of increasing the amount of peanut protein an individual can tolerate. The FDA has already granted AR101 “Breakthrough Therapy Designation” and “Fast Track Designation” statuses, which may help expedite AR101’s availability to patients and allergy clinics throughout the United States. Aimmune is also reportedly working on similar treatments for other food allergies.

Details: aimmune.com

Intrommune Therapeutics

Some day soon, immunotherapy may be as simple as brushing your teeth. Intrommune Therapeutics is striving to develop an oral mucosal immunotherapy (OMIT) product that delivers small extracts of common food allergens via a prescription toothpaste that is fully-functional for regular dental hygiene. This therapy is designed to become part of your everyday routine, and over an extended period of time, desensitize people to certain foods.

Details: intrommune.com