Nestlé has doubled down on its bet on a new therapy for peanut allergies.
Palforzia, from Aimmune Therapeutics Inc., treats peanut allergies by reducing the trauma suffered by allergic individuals upon exposure to peanuts. A powder made from peanuts, Palforzia is administered in escalating doses over an 11-month period. It does not cure peanut allergies, and sufferers must continue to avoid peanuts, but it mitigates the potentially fatal consequences of peanut exposure.
The FDA approved Palforzia on Jan. 31, and Aimmune announced on Feb. 5 that Nestlé had invested another $200 million in the drug. Nestlé had previously made investments totaling $273 million.
Nestlé’s involvement is seen as a way to increase revenue from its Health Science division and pivot away from food, where sales have stagnated.
