Curalogic: Edible allergens

Traditional immunotherapy for allergies consists of subcutaneous injections of natural allergens - given as often as several times a week - that cause the immune system to become gradually desensitized over three to five years. Curalogic A/S is looking to replace these injections with oral delivery of allergens.

The attraction of immunotherapy is that it is the only way to cure allergies. It also gives a 30-40% reduction in allergy symptoms compared with antihistamines, which give about a 15% reduction in symptoms versus placebo. However, due to the inconvenience of immunotherapy, and the risk of fatal anaphylactic reactions, Curalogic estimates that only 1-2 million of the 65 million people in the U.S. with allergic rhinitis receive allergy shots...