Abrocitinib

Food Allergy Fund Debuts Caregiver resource with Dr. Becky Kennedy, alongside breakthroughs in food allergy detection and treatment NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #biotech --The Food Allergy Fund (FAF) today convened scientists, investors, policymakers, and advocates at its annual Summit in New York City, unveiling advances that mark a pivotal shift in food allergy care: from delayed detection and limited treatment options toward earlier intervention and emerging therapies. Highlights included first-of-their-kind findings on AI-powered anaphylaxis detection, progress in repurposing FDA-approved drugs as allergy treatments, and the debut of a caregiver resource developed with Dr. Becky Kennedy, clinical psychologist and founder of Good Inside. Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children and 1 in 10 adults in the United States. Every three minutes, someone is rushed to the emergency room for a severe allergic reaction—underscoring the urgency of moving discoveries from the lab into real-world care for the more than 300 million people affected worldwide. AI Enables Real-Time Detection of Anaphylaxis Diagnosing food allergies remains one of the most challenging aspects of care, requiring patients to consume a potential allergen under clinical supervision, where early signs of anaphylaxis can be subtle and time sensitive. Now, FAF has brought AI technology to anaphylaxis detection, with new FAF-funded study data at Mount Sinai showing that a child’s anaphylactic reaction could be detected in real time using smartwatch data and remotely monitored by a research team in Israel - before symptoms became clinically apparent. The study uses AI software developed by Anjo.ai. “Our algorithm shows strong preliminary results in identifying allergic reactions earlier, and we are now able to monitor these remotely in real time,” said Tal Golan, co-founder and CEO of Anjo.ai. “This marks a meaningful step forward in improving the safety and precision of high-risk allergy diagnostics—and in enhancing safety in everyday life for families managing food allergies.” Repurposed Drugs Accelerate Path to Treatment The Summit also highlighted progress in FAF’s Drug Repurposing Program, which is advancing three already FDA-approved drugs—zileuton, abrocitinib and metformin—as potential food allergy treatments. Because these drugs have existing safety pro they can move to human trials far faster than traditional drug development allows. FAF is funding the first human clinical trial of zileuton, an FDA-approved asthma drug, to determine whether targeting a newly identified immune signaling pathway in the gut can prevent anaphylaxis in people with food allergies. The trial is led by Dr. Stephanie Eisenbarth and Dr. Adam Williams at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “We’ve found there is a diverse range of how much allergen is absorbed among different people, which may help explain why reactions vary, and suggests this drug could potentially be used ahead of time in higher-risk situations to help reduce the chance of a severe reaction,” said Dr. Eisenbarth. New Caregiver Guide Addresses the Behavioral Side of Food Allergy Progress in food allergy extends beyond the scientific. The Summit also debuted Safe Kids. Strong Voices —a free caregiver guide FAF exclusively developed with insights from Dr. Becky Kennedy, founder & CEO of Good Inside, the leading parenting platform used by millions, offering practical language to help children speak up, feel understood, and stay safe. Dr. Kennedy joined Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global, for a fireside conversation on how communication and confidence shape safety and inclusion for children living with food allergies. “A parent’s number one job is to keep their kids safe - while also not taking away the chance for their child to build confidence, self-advocacy, and a real sense of capability. That balance? It’s not straightforward. It’s nuanced, and it can feel really hard, especially for parents of kids with food allergies. That's why I’m so glad to support families navigating food allergies through this guide.” Connecting a Fragmented Field The FAF Summit connects more than stakeholders, it connects a fragmented field. “Food allergy research has long been fragmented across disciplines, institutions, and sectors, and that fragmentation costs patients time,” said Ilana Golant, founder and CEO of the Food Allergy Fund. “FAF was built to be the convenor and connector this field needed, bringing together the scientists, investors, policymakers and advocates who are turning those collaborations into faster progress for patients.” Additional Summit Highlights The Summit addressed the full arc of food allergy progress—from lab to lived experience: Venture Philanthropy as a Funding Model : Leaders from Beyond Celiac, Vie Ventures, and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation discussed how patient-driven capital and perspective are reshaping research funding. Families Driving Policy Change : Parent advocates shared how personal experience is translating into landmark legislation, including Elijah's Law, the ADDE Act, and the ADINA Act. Biotech and Translation : Leaders from Inimmune, Moonlight Therapeutics, Prota Therapeutics, and Ukko discussed next-generation approaches to prevention, immune modulation, and targeted therapy. AI, Immunology, and FAF’s New Israel Collaborative : Leaders from Technion, Tel Aviv University, and Anjo.ai explored how AI is advancing prediction, diagnosis, and treatment. Key Facts - Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children and 1 in 10 adults in the United States - 75% of children with food allergies are allergic to multiple foods - Someone is rushed to the ER for a severe reaction every 3 minutes - Nearly half of adults with food allergies developed them in adulthood - The estimated impact of food allergies is nearly $40 billion in societal costs About the Food Allergy Fund The Food Allergy Fund (FAF) is a science-driven nonprofit that serves as a granter and convener. FAF supports research to prevent, diagnose, and treat food allergies—a growing public health crisis affecting 10 percent of people in the United States and more than 300 million worldwide. FAF identifies and funds high-impact research, builds multi-sector coalitions, and works with scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and families affected by food allergies. Through summits, partnerships, and strategic public private collaborations, FAF is transforming how food allergies are understood and addressed. Learn more at . Contacts Media Contact: Amy DiElsi, Director of Communications, press@foodallergyfund.org

In the news release, American Academy of Dermatology Issues First-Ever Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines, Highlighting Prevention Strategies and Effective Treatments, issued 07-Apr-2026 by American Academy of Dermatology over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the 5th bullet in the list was modified to read "ruxolitinib cream" and a 6th bullet was added for "Topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists". The complete, corrected release follows: American Academy of Dermatology Issues First-Ever Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines, Highlighting Prevention Strategies and Effective Treatments New evidence-based guidelines establish insufficient evidence or no benefit to dietary or environmental interventions ROSEMONT, Ill. , April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its history, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has published guidelines of care for both the prevention and management of atopic dermatitis (commonly known as eczema) in pediatric patients. While pediatric and adult eczema share similarities, these guidelines recognize the unique safety, dosing, and patient-caregiver-clinician interactions of individuals under the age of 18. The most common pediatric skin disease, eczema affects up to 25% of children worldwide. It is a long-lasting inflammatory skin disease often marked by itchy skin, dry patches, rashes, and rough bumps. "Eczema is extremely common in children, though it doesn't always look or behave the same way it does in adults," said AAD President and board-certified dermatologist Murad Alam, MD, FAAD . "Because eczema can decrease the quality of life of children and their families, we need dedicated guidelines just for children to ensure their best care." The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) , will guide dermatologists in deciding the best possible prevention and treatment options for pediatric patients. The guidelines were developed by a working group of 14 experts, including 11 board-certified dermatologists and one pediatric allergist. Prevention Because eczema is so common and can significantly affect a child's health, there is strong interest in identifying ways to help prevent it. However, current research shows that supplemental therapies like special diets or skipping baths aren't proven to prevent eczema. Moisturizers were the only treatment to receive a conditional recommendation for use to reduce the occurrence of eczema in children aged 6 months to 3 years. Conditional recommendations reflect an intervention whose benefits are closely balanced with risks and burdens. These recommendations apply to most patients, but the most appropriate action may differ depending on the patient and presentation. The guidelines find insufficient evidence or no benefit to dietary or environmental interventions, including early food introduction, human milk consumption, probiotic or vitamin D supplementation, water softening, and dust mite avoidance. Treatment There are more treatments for eczema than ever before, though standard treatments like regular moisturizing remain effective in managing eczema in children. The guidelines provide 26 evidence-based recommendations for topical therapies (prescription and non-prescription), phototherapy, and systemic therapies based on the treatment's reduction of eczema symptoms and itch severity, inclusive of the below. Strong recommendations reflect treatments in which benefits clearly outweigh the risks and burdens. These recommendations apply to most children with eczema in most circumstances. Strong recommendations were made for the use of the following: Moisturizers to reduce the severity of patients' dry, itchy skin. Topical calcineurin inhibitors (pimecrolimus 1% cream and tacrolimus 0.03% or 0.1% ointment) to manage patients' flares when their dry, itchy skin worsens and as intermittent maintenance therapy. Topical corticosteroids (steroid creams), considered a first-line treatment in most cases due to affordability and accessibility, to manage patients' flares and as maintenance therapy. Phosphodiesterate-4 inhibitors (crisaborole ointment and roflumilast cream) to reduce patients' itchiness and decrease the frequency of flares. When used proactively, roflumilast can keep skin clearer more consistently. Topical JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib cream) to decrease the severity of the dry, itchy skin in patients with mild to moderate eczema. Topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists (tapinarof cream) to reduce inflammation, improve skin barrier function, and decrease the severity of dry, itchy skin in patients with mild, moderate and severe eczema. Monoclonal antibodies (dupilumab, tralokinumab, and lebrikizumab) to decrease the severity of eczema symptoms, reduce flares and improve itching in patients with moderate to severe eczema. JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, abrocitinib, and baricitnib) to decrease the severity of eczema symptoms and improve itching in patients with moderate to severe eczema. Conditional recommendations were made for the use of treatments inclusive of the following: Bathing for treatment and maintenance for pediatric patients, followed by a moisturizer as standard care. Wet wrap therapy , under the guidance of a healthcare professional skilled in eczema management, are typically encouraged for patients during eczema flares. Phototherapy (light therapy) at a dermatologist's office can be used to treat patients with severe cases of eczema involving many body sites. Strong recommendations were made against systemic corticosteroids, which should be reserved exclusively for patients with sudden, severe flares and as short-term bridge therapy. Conditional recommendations were made against the use of topical antimicrobials and PUVA phototherapy for children with eczema. "These guidelines were developed to educate and empower patients, caregivers, and the medical community so children with eczema receive the best care possible. Early, proactive intervention allows improvement in symptoms and quality of life for patients and their families," said board-certified dermatologist Dawn Davis, MD, FAAD , co-chair of the AAD's Atopic Dermatitis Guideline Workgroup. "Since 2014, the landscape for eczema care has been transformed by the approval of new therapies for adults. Our goal was to review how these advancements relate to the pediatric population so children also receive optimal, individualized care." "Many children's eczema cases can be improved with a treatment plan made specially just for their needs, and starting treatment early can help keep the problem from getting worse," said Dr. Alam. "Please partner with a board-certified dermatologist to get expert care for your child's eczema." To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm. Resources Childhood Eczema About the AAD Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 21,800 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org . Follow @AADskin on Facebook , TikTok , Pinterest , and YouTube , and @AADskin1 on Instagram . View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology