VIDEO: Food allergy outcomes improve with omalizumab

SAN DIEGO — Approximately 45,000 patients have begun using omalizumab for food allergy in the year since its approval by the FDA, Ahmar Iqbal, MD, therapeutic area lead for respiratory and influenza at Genentech, told Healio here.

“We are hearing from allergists all over the U.S. as to how it has opened the doors of options for patients, when initially all they had to offer patients was ‘avoid the food,’” Iqbal said at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology/World Allergy Organization Joint Congress.

During the conference, Robert A. Wood, MD, FAAAAI, professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, reported that patients with three different food allergies who used omalizumab (Xolair; Genentech, Novartis) experienced better outcomes than patients who used multi-food oral immunotherapy.

Also, Jennifer Dantzer, MD, FAAAAI, MHS, assistant professor in pediatric allergy, immunology and rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, reported that patients with multiple food allergies introduced allergens into their diets after using omalizumab.

In this video, Iqbal discusses omalizumab’s impact on food allergy care, the implications of these studies on future treatment, and what is next in clinical research.

“Our experience has been very gratifying,” he said.

References:

• Dantzer J, et al. Abstract L50. Presented at: 2025 AAAAI/WAO Joint Congress; Feb. 28-March 3, 2025; San Diego.
• Wood RA, et al. Abstract L48. Presented at: 2025 AAAAI/WAO Joint Congress; Feb. 28-March 3, 2025; San Diego.