VeganMed, Inc.
Feb 28, 2025
Presented at the 2025 AAAAI / WAO Joint Congress, new research from VeganMed reveals 84% of AGS patients reported symptom improvement with omalizumab based on real-world experiences
A new study led by researchers from VeganMed, the University of Connecticut, and the University of the Pacific highlights real-world patient-reported outcomes on the use of omalizumab (Xolair) in Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), offering the first systematic look at its potential role in managing the complex allergy.
The abstract, titled “Role of Omalizumab in Alpha-gal Syndrome Based on Social Media Reports,” was presented at the 2025 AAAAI / WAO Joint Congress in San Diego. AGS is a tick-induced allergy triggered by alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found in mammalian-derived ingredients commonly present in both food and medications.
In this study, the team analyzed patient comments from Facebook support groups to explore off-label experiences with omalizumab. Out of 107 individuals who mentioned the drug, 57 shared their outcomes. A remarkable 84% reported a positive clinical response, while 16% indicated either no improvement or an adverse reaction. Only one patient mentioned anaphylaxis (1.8%). A corresponding MedWatch search revealed no relevant adverse event reports.
“Omalizumab was recently approved for IgE-mediated food allergies, but its role in AGS has been unclear,” said Dr. Cora Altomari, lead author and pharmacist at VeganMed. “This patient-reported data suggests promise, but also highlights the urgent need for controlled studies and better ingredient transparency, especially given the potential risk tied to how omalizumab is manufactured.”
Given the use of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells in omalizumab’s production, which may carry trace amounts of alpha-gal, researchers urge caution and further investigation.