Egg Allergy Market: Second most common food allergy but no approved therapy

Hen’s egg allergy is the second most common type of allergy after cow’s milk. In infants and young children, Egg poses as one of the most vital allergens degrading the quality of life. 

As per estimates, as many as 2 per cents of children are allergic to eggs. However, around 70% of these children are fortunate enough to be able to outgrow the allergy by the time they turn 16. 

Egg allergy is an adverse reaction our immune the system produces in response to egg proteins. Egg allergy is diagnosed with the identification of egg white specific IgE. However, symptoms can be both IgE-mediated, Non-IgE mediated and mixed IgE reactions. 

Disorders such as atopic dermatitis and the eosinophilic gastroenteropathies fall in the category of Non-IgE mediated reactions.

Egg Allergy Epidemiology 

As per one US-based study, “Prevalence of allergic sensitisation in the United States: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006” Egg allergy prevalence estimates for sensitisation was 3.4% to the egg in the overall population aged six and above.

Moreover, Allergy UK states that 1 in 20 people develop Egg allergy in the United Kingdom. 

According to a study conducted by Gisèle Kanny et al., reported food allergy prevalence is 3.52%, out of which nearly four per cent of the population is suffering from an egg allergy.

It is shocking to note that a higher risk of developing other skin allergies such as atopic dermatitis, and other food allergies increase the persistence of egg allergy. And patients with higher egg allergy persistence showed higher levels of egg IgE at all the ages.

Egg Allergy Treatment Market

At present, there are NO FDA-APPROVED therapies available in Egg allergy treatment market. 

However, several therapy options are under clinical trials to provide relief to patients and advance Egg allergy market. Increasing the tolerance of the immune system to allergens through oral tolerance induction is under simulations and promise a better Egg allergy market scenario.  In addition to this, recent trials have indicated towards an extensively heated egg, which was tolerated by a maximum Egg allergic patient pool.

The only practical approach is the avoidance of egg to prevent egg allergy. People allergic to egg must avoid all forms of eggs be it egg yolk or egg white. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it seems, since, many food items have egg as a hidden ingredient. Moreover, patients allergic to only egg whites or egg yolks are advised to avoid eggs altogether, as it is difficult to separate the two components of the egg. 

All the food items need to have a list of all the ingredients regardless of their quantity.

In the past, vaccinations for seasonal influenza used to contain a small amount of egg protein. Vaccination for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) was labelled unsafe for the children allergic to egg. Vaccine for yellow hay fever also is a contraindication for Egg allergy patients. 

Patients must inquire about the ingredients in the medicines and vaccinations to prevent allergic reactions. The egg is one of eight allergens with specific labelling requirements under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. That law requires manufacturers of packaged food products sold in the U.S. and containing egg as an ingredient to include the presence of egg or egg products, in clear language, on the ingredient label.

Egg allergy therapies 

Egg allergy treatment landscape consists of symptomatic therapies to bring relief from the symptoms. For instance, Antihistamines are prescribed to treat the symptoms induced due to egg allergy. Initially, epinephrine (adrenaline) is injected through an auto-injector which helps in tackling anaphylaxis, which is a potentially fatal condition in response to allergic reaction resulting in shortness of breath, swelling of the throat, and dizziness from a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Egg Allergy market 

Lack of standard approved Egg allergy treatment is the most significant unmet need in the Egg allergy market. 

To fulfil the unmet need, companies such as Genentech, Novartis, Aimmune Therapeutics, DBV Technologies, and others have started to work towards achieving a standard therapy goal and advance Egg allergy market. 

The launch of upcoming Egg allergy therapies will positively impact the Egg allergy market. The Egg allergy pipeline is increasing the Egg allergy therapeutic market size. 

Xolair (omalizumab)- a drug candidate of Gentech, AR201– Allergy therapy developed by Aimmune therapeutics, and Viaskin Egg under trials by DBV are some of the few treatments which are expected to bring a positive shift in Egg allergy market in the forecast period as per DelveInsight. 

The pace of Egg Allergy market is changing with improvement in the diagnosis methodologies, raising awareness of the diseases, incremental healthcare spending across the world, and the launch of emerging therapies.