Important Information to Know During Our Campus Transformation — Read More

Rady Children's Specialists

Food Allergy Research

Support Our Food Allergy Research. Donate Now!


The incidence of food allergy has dramatically increased in the United States within the last 20 years. Throughout the country, research is being done on what could be causing these food allergies, as well as how we can treat them. At our Food Allergy Center, research is being conducted in both of these areas.

Clinical Trials

Multiple clinical trials are being conducted looking at possible treatments for food allergy to decrease the chance or severity of an allergic reaction when accidentally ingested.  Immunotherapy is currently the main focus of research in food allergy clinical trials, which involves exposing the patient to very small amounts of the food that they are allergic to, in hopes that their immune system will stop reacting to it. This therapy is done under close physician supervision using a strict protocol due to the risk of side effects. These treatments are not safe to be tried at home.

Clinical trials at our Food Allergy Center include oral immunotherapy, given by mouth, and epicutaneous immunotherapy, given through a patch on the skin. We are currently involved in clinical trials for peanut allergyand milk allergy.

Active (Currently Recruiting)

A Phase 3, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy with DBV712 250 μg in 4-7-year-old Children with Peanut Allergy (VITESSE)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

This study is looking at whether using a daily investigational patch in children with peanut allergy can decrease the risk of an allergic reaction if there is accidental exposure to peanuts. Participants are compensated. Please contact the study coordinator, Beth Kiernan, at ekiernan@rchsd.org for more information.

To be eligible for this study, an individual must be:

  • 4 to 7 years of age
  • Diagnosed with peanut gallery
  • Currently following a strict peanut-free diet

This is not a complete list of eligibility criteria. The study doctor will review the full entry criteria for this study with you. Eligible individuals will participate in the study for approximately 58 weeks (about 1 year).

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05741476.

View flier


Ongoing (Recruitment Closed or By Invitation Only)

ADORED study: A Phase 1b/2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Study of STMC-103H in Neonates and Infants at High-Risk for Developing Allergic Disease 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard 

This study is looking at whether giving an investigational therapeutic probiotic to infants may help to prevent allergic diseases. We are recruiting pregnant women in their 3rd trimester. Participants are compensated. Please contact Beth Kiernan, CRC, at ekiernan@rchsd.org for more information.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05003804.
View Flier


Using Biologics to Improve Multi Oral Immunotherapy (mOIT) Outcomes (COMBINE Study) 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

In this study, we will treat participants with oral immunotherapy to two or three different foods (one of which must be peanut) and biologics. This is a study designed to determine if using biologics (omalizumab and dupilumab) and multi oral immunotherapy (mOIT) will increase tolerance to multiple food allergens. If you or your child is between 4-25 years old and is allergic to peanut and at least one of the following — almond, cashew, hazelnut, egg, walnut, sesame seed, soy, shellfish, fish, wheat or milk — then you/they may be eligible to participate. Please contact Amy Grissinger, CPNP, at agrissinger@rchsd.org for more information. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03679676.


EPITOPE Open-label Extension Study to Evaluate the Long-term Clinical Benefit and Safety of DBV712 in Peanut-Allergic Children (EPOPEX)

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03859700


Completed Studies 

A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Sensitivity, Specificity and Safety of DBV1605, a Ready to Use Atopy Patch Test for the Diagnosis of Non-Immunoglobulin E Mediated Cow’s Milk Allergy in Children (APTITUDE)

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04492683


A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Phase III Trial to Assess the Safety And Efficacy of Viaskin® Peanut in Peanut-Allergic Young Children 1-3 Years of Age (EPITOPE Study)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

This is a study designed to determine if an investigational skin patch is safe and effective when used as epicutaneous immunotherapy for peanut allergy in young children aged 1-3 years old. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03211247


A Multicenter, Open-Label, Long-Term Safety Study of AR101 Characterized Oral Desensitization Immunotherapy in Subjects Who Participated in a Prior AR101 Study (ARC008)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

This is a study investigating AR101 oral immunotherapy as a treatment for peanut allergy.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03292484


Real-World Ar101 Market-Supporting Experience Study in Peanut Allergic Children Active Treatment Arm Open-Label Extension Study (RAMSES OLE)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03337542


Peanut Allergy Oral Immunotherapy Study of AR101 For Desensitization in Children and Adults (PALISADE) Follow-On Study (ARC004)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02993107


Open-Label Follow-Up Study of the PEPITES Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of VIASKIN Peanut (PEOPLE Study)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

This is a study designed to determine if an investigational skin patch is safe and effective when used as epicutaneous immunotherapy for peanut allergy in children between the ages 4-11 years old.  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03013517


A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial to Study the VIASKIN Milk Efficacy and Safety for Treating IgE-Mediated Cow’s Milk Allergy in Children (MILES Study)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephanie Leonard

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

This a study designed to determine if an investigational skin patch is safe and effective when used as epicutaneous immunotherapy for milk allergy. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02223182

Real-World AR101 Market-Supporting Experience Study in Peanut-Allergic Children Ages 4 to 17 Years (RAMSES) (ARC007)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03126227


Peanut Allergy Oral Immunotherapy Study of AR101 for Desensitization in Children and Adults (PALISADE)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02635776


A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Phase III Pivotal Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Peanut Epicutaneous Immunotherapy with VIASKIN® Peanut in Peanut-Allergic Children (PEPITES Study)

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02636699


Oral Desensitization to Peanut in Peanut-Allergic Children and Adults using Characterized Peanut Allergen (CPNA) Peanut Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) Safety and Follow-On Study (ARC002)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02198664


Open-label follow-up study of the VIPES study to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of the VIASKIN Peanut (OLFUS Study)

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01955109


Oral Desensitization to Peanut in Peanut-Allergic Children and Adults using Characterized Peanut Allergen (CPNA) Oral Immunotherapy OIT (ARC001)

Sponsor: Aimmune Therapeutics

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01987817


Principal Investigator (Site): A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial to Study the VIASKIN Peanut’s Efficacy and Safety for Treating Peanut Allergy in Children and Adults (VIPES Study)

Sponsor: DBV Technologies

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01675882