A promising new oral treatment could transform how we manage severe food allergies. At the 2026 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) annual meeting in Philadelphia, researchers presented phase II trial results for remibrutinib (Rhapsido), an oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor developed by Novartis.
In the study, adults (ages 18-55) with confirmed peanut allergy received different doses of remibrutinib twice daily for 4 weeks or placebo. The goal was to see if the drug could help them tolerate peanut protein without a reaction.
The results were striking and dose-dependent:
- 40% of those on the lowest dose (10 mg twice daily) tolerated at least 600 mg of peanut protein - roughly 2.5 peanuts.
- 50% succeeded on 25 mg twice daily.
- An impressive 87% on the highest dose (100 mg twice daily) reached this threshold.
The safety profile looked reassuring, with no major concerns around infections, blood counts, liver enzymes, or other worrisome side effects.
Experts were enthusiastic. Session co-moderator Yamini Virkud, MD (UNC Chapel Hill) called it a potential "game changer" - an easy-to-take pill (no injections), shelf-stable, and fast-acting (protection in as little as 1 week vs. months for injectable omalizumab). This could offer real-world benefits, like extra protection during travel, camps, or accidental exposures.
While the results compare favorably to omalizumab (which showed ~67% tolerance in a multi-food allergy trial in children), remibrutinib has the advantage of being oral and quick to work.
Food allergies affect millions, and accidental exposures remain a constant fear. An effective oral therapy like this could dramatically improve quality of life - and maybe one day reduce reliance on strict avoidance alone.
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