With Palforzia® Ending, What’s Next for Peanut Allergy Patients?

The peanut allergy treatment Palforzia® will be discontinued on July 31, 2026, according to its manufacturer, Stallergenes Greer.

Palforzia is the only oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It treats peanut allergy in children ages 1 through 17.

The notice on Stallergenes Greer’s Palforzia website reads: “This voluntary discontinuation is not related to product safety, quality, or efficacy.” As Palforzia winds down, Stallergenes Greer says it will support an orderly transition for healthcare professionals who prescribe the treatment and patients currently receiving the therapy.

Palforzia earned FDA approval in 2020. It was originally developed by Aimmune. Nestle Health Science bought Aimmune and then sold Palforzia to Stallergenes Greer.

Allergy & Asthma Network asked board-certified allergist and spokesperson Purvi Parikh, MD, to comment on the loss of Palforzia.

“It is disappointing to lose an oral immunotherapy option for peanut allergy — a condition that has increased in severity as well as incidence over time,” Dr. Parikh says. “While methods such as early introduction have helped prevent peanut allergy, this was the only FDA-approved immunotherapy option for children who already had a developed peanut allergy.

“The benefit of FDA approval is increased access to treatments and insurance coverage for these treatments. I hope we see more FDA-approved immunotherapy options on the horizon for our food allergy community.”

What is Palforzia?

Palforzia comes as a capsule with a measured dose of peanut powder. Taken orally, it consists of a small amount of peanut powder. The capsule is taken daily, with gradually increasing amounts of the powder.

Palforzia is not a peanut allergy cure. The goal is to desensitize the child’s immune system to peanut. It can also reduce the risk of an allergic reaction in case of an accidental ingestion of peanut or a peanut product.

The treatment is only done under the supervision of an allergist specializes in food allergy. Epinephrine should be readily available to treat a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis.

What can patients do?

First, do NOT attempt peanut allergy OIT on your own. Palforzia is a specialized treatment that should only be taken in consultation with a food allergy specialist. There is a risk of serious side effects, including anaphylaxis.

Parents with questions about continuing peanut allergy therapy, or OIT in general, should talk with their child’s doctor. Continued daily peanut exposure is typically required to maintain desensitization. Parents can also call the Palforzia Pathway Patient Hub at 1-844-PALFORZ.

Are there alternatives to Palforzia? Yes, but some are not FDA-approved. Their availability may vary on whether allergists offer the treatment. And insurance may not cover non-FDA-approved therapies.

Office-based treatments

Ask your allergist if an office-based OIT is available. Some allergists who specialize in food allergy treatment may offer OIT for peanut and other food allergens using an office-based product. The allergist would prepare a non-pharmaceutical grade OIT product using specific measurements and standardized protocols.

While office-based OIT is not FDA-approved, it has proven to be beneficial for many food allergy patients.

Biologic treatments

Talk with your allergist about whether taking a biologic for food allergy therapy is right for you. FDA has approved omalizumab (Xolair®) for adults and children ages 1-17 with an IgE-mediated food allergy. It reduces the risk of allergic reactions due to an accidental exposure. Xolair also reduced the risk and severity of an allergic reaction. The treatment is given as an injection every 2-4 weeks.

Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)

Ask your allergist about SLIT for food allergy therapy. This involves placing drops of a food allergen protein extract under the tongue for two minutes, then spitting it out or swallowing. SLIT is not FDA-approved. A 2019 study of SLIT showed promise in children ages 1 to 11. More research is needed to prove it is safe and effective.

Viaskin® Peanut

A future food allergy treatment could be Viaskin® Peanut from DBV Technologies. The product is commonly referred to as the “peanut patch.” Viaskin Peanut is not FDA-approved but it is on a path toward approval.

The peanut patch involves attaching to the skin an adhesive patch that contains a tiny dose of peanut allergen. It works to desensitize patients to peanut and increase tolerance. It offers increased protection from an accidental exposure.

DBV Technologies is presenting supporting data on Viaskin Peanut at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting on Feb. 27-March 2. The data comes from the VITESSE Phase 3 study of Viaskin Peanut in children ages 4-7.