Living with allergies can sometimes feel isolating, especially when it seems like no one fully understands your struggles or when progress toward better solutions feels slow. However, it’s essential to look toward research to see the great strides being made in the field of allergy science—from food allergies to asthma to eczema.
Allergic diseases are relatively recent additions to the realm of biological science, and their study has gained momentum only in the past few decades. This can be frustrating for those living with allergies, wondering why more isn’t being done. But the good news is that this rapid development means a growing number of experts are dedicated to finding answers. Thanks to advancements in technology, we are now moving faster than ever before, leading to greater innovation, improved understanding, and better allergy management for all.
2024 has been a pivotal year in allergy research, with ground-breaking scientific discoveries, new approved allergy drugs, and increased public awareness. These milestones are not just improving the science behind allergies—they are driving real change and bringing hope for a better future for those affected.
Here are some of the key highlights…
Advances in Allergy Medications
Adrenaline nasal spray approval in USA & EU: The new nasal spray neffy ® has been approved for treating severe allergic reactions in the USA and EU, making it the first adrenaline product approved for treatment of anaphylaxis that is not administered by injection. ARS Pharmaceuticals has now filed for approval of neffy ® in the UK. Please note this has not yet been approved for use in the UK.
ACARIZAX® approved for young children: ACARIZAX®, a house dust mite sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet, has been approved in Europe for use in children aged 5-11. This approval opens new avenues for treating house dust mite allergy in younger patients, reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Epicutaneous peanut patch trials: The VIASKIN® Peanut patch is an epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) treatment that involves applying a patch containing peanut allergen to the skin. DBV Technologies has announced promising results from their Phase 3 open-label extension study, showing continued improvement in the treatment benefits of the VIASKIN® Peanut patch over three years. Please note this product is still in clinical trials and is not available for use in the UK.
Peanut sublingual immunotherapy trials: Earlier in the year, ALK Abelló completed the first stage of its ALLIANCE clinical trial for a new peanut sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet, showing promising results in terms of safety and tolerability. The trial will now advance on to phase II for dose finding and efficacy. Please note this product is still in clinical trials and is not available for use in the UK.
Research Advances in Understanding Allergy
Rising food allergies in children: Food allergies are becoming more common according to a study led by Dr Paul Turner from Imperial College London, highlighting the growing number of cases in England over the past 20 years. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, looked at data from 1998 to 2018 to understand how food allergies are being diagnosed and managed by the healthcare system.
LEAP study finds early peanut consumption can protect infants at risk of developing peanut allergy: Research from King’s College London suggested that introducing peanuts to children under five can reduce the risk of developing peanut allergies by 71%. The study advocates for early and safe exposure to allergens to promote tolerance.
PAFA study suggests approximately 6% of UK adults have confirmed food allergies: The Food Standards Agency’s Patterns and Prevalence of Adult Food Allergy (PAFA) report found that 6% of the UK adult population, approximately 2.4 million people, have clinically confirmed food allergies. This is one of the largest investigations into the prevalence of food allergies among adults in the UK.
Researchers discover new cell that remembers allergies: Researchers at McMaster University and ALK-Abelló A/S identified a new cell type, called MBC2, which plays a key role in remembering and triggering allergic reactions. This discovery offers a new target for allergy treatments and could lead to the development of new therapeutics aimed at altering allergic responses.
Study finds newly developed test accurately detects peanut allergy severity: Researchers have developed a new test to simplify the diagnosis of allergies. Its clinical accuracy has now been confirmed in samples from children and adolescents with peanut allergies, showing promise in identifying the severity of allergic reactions. While the test is not yet available, these findings could improve the future diagnosis of food allergies.
New trial finds drug reduces risk of allergic reactions to peanuts and other foods: A clinical trial has shown that Omalizumab (Xolair), originally approved for asthma, can reduce allergic reactions to multiple foods. The study found that the drug increased the threshold for allergic responses in participants with severe food allergies. While this treatment is not currently available in the UK, these results suggest it could become a future option for improving food allergy management.
NATASHA oral immunotherapy trial now underway at multiple UK hospitals: In 2024, recruitment for the Natasha Trial was successfully completed, and the study is underway across 9 hospitals in the UK. The trial, named in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, will investigate whether everyday exposure to small amounts of allergenic foods could help children and young people build tolerance. If successful, the trial will provide the evidence for the treatment to become available on the NHS.
Global survey reveals high levels of stress among people with food allergies: A global survey from the Global Access to Psychological Services for Food Allergy (GAPS) study has shown that people with food allergies and their caregivers experience a lot of stress and anxiety related to their allergies.
Advances in Allergy Healthcare and Policy
GPwER update: In October 2024, the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) introduced the GP with Extended Roles (GPwER) accreditation. This programme allows GPs to specialise in allergy care within primary care networks, ensuring that patients receive expert advice and support at the earliest stages of allergy management. By promoting early assessment and self-management, this initiative helps improve overall care for those living with allergies.
New UK asthma guidelines: For the first time, the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE, and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) collaborated to create new, unified asthma guidelines. These guidelines stress the importance of early diagnosis through simple tests and introduce a digital asthma pathway to aid healthcare professionals in providing more accurate diagnoses and better treatment options.
Updated NICE quality standards on anaphylaxis: The updated NICE Quality Standards (QS119) focus on improving care for people experiencing anaphylaxis, with updated protocols that will help streamline emergency care across the UK.
National Allergy Strategy development: In May 2024, the BSACI appointed a project lead for the National Allergy Strategy Group (MASG), aiming to improve allergy care and health outcomes across the UK. The NAS will now gather input from patients, healthcare providers, and researchers, creating a roadmap for allergy management from 2025 to 2035.
Allergy Action Plans: In 2024, Anaphylaxis UK played a key role in developing the Adult Allergy Action Plan. Additionally, a new FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome) Action Plan has been created, and the paediatric allergy action plan has been updated to include young adults. These efforts aim to provide comprehensive support for individuals managing allergies across different age groups.
Shaping allergy training in the UK Foundation Programme: A recent report led by the BSACI, Shaping Allergy Training in the UK Foundation Programme: a national survey, highlights the urgent need to integrate allergy education into the early stages of medical training.
10-year NHS plan: In November 2024, the UK government launched a consultation to help shape the 10-year NHS plan. The BSACI submitted a response, offering insights on how allergy services can be integrated into the government’s proposed shifts. The input aims to ensure allergy care is effectively incorporated into long-term NHS planning and delivered to meet future healthcare needs.
These advancements highlight a growing recognition of the challenges faced by those living with allergies in the UK, and a commitment to addressing these issues through continued research, policy changes, and public awareness. As we move into 2025, these ongoing developments should offer hope and optimism for those managing allergies. While we know there is still much progress to be made, at Anaphylaxis UK, we fully understand how challenging the journey can be, and we’re here to support individuals and families every step of the way.
Provide your email address to receive our printable guide outlining emergency symptoms and actions.
Additionally, enjoy our monthly Allergy Outlook email, delivering the latest news, updates, and resources directly to your inbox.