Genentech, Novartis join forces to raise awareness of food allergies’ impact on families

Genentech and Novartis have teamed up with Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) to enhance the safety of children with food allergies. The launch of the initiative, which is informed by survey results, comes one year after the drugmakers won FDA approval for Xolair in people with food allergies.

One year ago, Roche—Genentech’s parent company—and Novartis won FDA approval for Xolair as a way to reduce allergic reactions to 160 foods including peanuts, milk and eggs. As the manufacturers of the first drug for children and adults with one or more food allergies, Genentech and Novartis were pushing into uncharted territory with the launch. The partners have teamed with FARE to help light the way.

The charity is working with the drugmakers to increase understanding of food allergies and the physical and emotional impact they can have on families. The partners are aiming to improve the safety of children with food allergies.

The focus of the initiative reflects the findings of a survey commissioned by Genentech and Novartis. The Harris Poll spoke to 500 people in the U.S. who are the parents or guardians of children with one or more food allergies.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they felt their child’s food allergies have been dismissed by others such as family members, restaurants, schools or daycare centers. Almost three-quarters of children with allergies have skipped an activity, such as a birthday party or sleepover, out of concern for an accidental exposure, per the survey, and more than half of children have had negative social impacts or fear of trying new things because of allergies.

The survey suggests broader awareness of food allergies could make caregivers’ lives easier. Around 80% of respondents said there is not enough awareness in their community about food allergies. More than half of caregivers lack high levels of confidence in others’ abilities to support their child’s management of food allergies through avoidance.

“It is clear the community still has significant unmet needs when it comes to relieving some of the emotional and physical challenges of this disease,” Reshema Kemps-Polanco, chief commercial officer at Novartis U.S., said in a statement.

The education push follows a strong rollout for Xolair in food allergies. Roche named the launch as the key driver of the 5% growth in its immunology business last year. More than 40,000 patients are taking the drug for food allergies, the company said late last month. Roche named its outlays on marketing and distribution of the drug as a driver of a recent step up in spending as a percentage of sales.