Jan 31, 2020 - Health

FDA approves first treatment for peanut allergy

The Food and Drug Administration approved a treatment called Palforzia from Aimmune Therapeutics on Friday that would help treat those with peanut allergies.

Why it matters: Food allergies have been on the rise among children and adults, some with life-threatening conditions that cause an anaphylactic reaction from exposure. 

Details: For children ages 4 to 17, the new therapy derived from peanut powder will be prescribed, and mixed it into their food everyday to build up a resistance.

  • Patients and their caregivers still must carry injectable epinephrine.
  • Aimmune set the price of Palforzia at $890 per month, or nearly $11,000 per year.
  • Roth Capital Research analyst Zegbeh Jallah says the Palforzia could generate annual sales of $1 billion by 2026, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Go deeper: Food allergies more common among adults in the U.S.

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