Our allergy research innovations

Our discoveries in allergy prevention and management are inspired by the numerous benefits of human milk observed during our research. We collaborate with experts from around the world and are committed to developing high quality, safe ¹Knipping K, et al. Intra-and inter-laboratory validation of an innovative huFcεRIα-RBL-2H3 degranulation assay for in vitro allergenicity assessment of whey hydrolysates.Toxicol in Vitro. Published … Continue reading, ²Van Esch B, Interlaboratory evaluation of a cow’s milk allergy mouse model to assess the allergenicity of hydrolysed cow’s milk based infant formulas Tox Lett. Published on 2013; 220:95-102 and nutritionally superior solutions that adhere to national and international nutritional and allergy guidelines.³Muraro A, et al. EAACI food allergy and anaphylaxis guidelines: diagnosis and management of food allergy. Allergy. Published on 2014. 69: 1008 … Continue reading,⁴Fiocchi A, Brozek J, Schünemann H, Bahna S, von Berg A, et al. World Allergy Organization (WAO) Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow’s Milk Allergy (DRACMA) Guidelines. World Allergy … Continue reading

Danone Research & Innovation continues to pioneer nutritional innovations for the management of allergic diseases, including investigating amino acid formulas and extensively hydrolysed formulas with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics. For allergy prevention in at-risk populations, we focus on partially hydrolysed protein formulas (pHP) with prebiotics.

Hypoallergenicity

There are a number of studies demonstrating that hydrolysate-based infant formulas have been found to be effective in reducing allergic symptoms. Furthermore, research shows that these formulas are safe and well tolerated by allergic infants.⁵Verwimp J, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published on 1995; 49:S39-S48 ,⁶Giampietro P, et al. Ped Allergy Immunol. Published on 2001; 12:83-86 ,⁷Pampura AN, et al. Published on 2014;4:95-104

pHP + prebiotics studied for prevention of food allergies

In infants with a high risk of developing allergy, pHP with the prebiotic including scGOS/lcFOS (9:1), has been studied in the PATCH Clinical study. Learn more about PATCH Clinical study here.

Dietary management of CMA

With 40 years of research in the dietary management of allergy, we have gained strong insights into the nutritional needs of infants and children with mild, moderate and severe allergies. Based on these insights we have developed adapted nutritional solutions. Healthcare providers have a range of allergy-specific products that they can recommend for infants suffering from mild to moderate allergies, including an extensively hydrolysed protein formula (eHP) containing a unique prebiotic mixture (scGOS/lcFOS (9:1)). Dietary management has been proven to effectively resolve symptoms for these infants, while supporting growth and development.^.8Verwimp J, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published on 1995; 49:S39-S48 ,⁹Giampietro P, et al. Ped Allergy Immunol. Published on 2001; 12:83-86

Danone Research & Innovation: the first to develop a range of allergy specific products

We have conducted research into the use of amino acid formulas (AA) for the dietary management of infants and children whose whose symptoms aren’t completely resolved, and/or for those with complex food allergy conditions and symptoms (e.g. eosinophilic oesophagitis, cow’s milk protein-induced enteropathy and food protein-induced enterocolitis). This research studied the ability of the AA formula to resolve allergic symptoms quickly and effectively, as well as their effect on the infant’s and chifren growth and development. we have developed a range of amino acid formulas (AAF) that support the fast and effective resolution of allergy symptoms. These formulas also have a track record in supporting growth and development in allergic infants.¹⁰Mitsuoka T, Nutr Rev . Published on 1992;50:438-446

At the forefront of synbiotic research

Danone Research & Innovation is currently studying the use of synbiotics (combination of pre- and probiotic ingredients) to support the developing immune system. This is important to set the right conditions to stimulate oral tolerance development.

Many of our latest research programs are studying a unique, synbiotic mix of prebiotics (scGOS/lcFOS (9:1) or scFOS/lcFOS) and a probiotic (Bifidobacterium breve M-16V). B.breve M-16V is the most commonly isolated bifidobacterial species; B. breve has been found in human milk and has been widely studied in various allergic populations. Containing anti-allergenic properties, it has been shown to reduce atopic dermatitis in infants in preclinical and clinical studies.^{11Va der Aa, et al. Clinical and Experimental Allergy . Published on 2010;40:795-804 ,12Van Esch B 2017 PhamaNutrition, , 13Harvey BM. et al. Pediatr Res. Published on 2014;75:343-51 ,14Akiyama, et al. Published on 1994 ,15Akiyama, et al. Published on 1996 ,16Yamada, et al. Published on 2002 ,17Sato, et al. Published on 2003 ,18Hattori, et al. Published on 2005} B.breve M-16V has a long history of use and is known for its strong safety record, especially in extremely premature infants¹⁹Akiyama, et al. Published on 1994 ,²⁰Akiyama, et al. Published on 1996 ,²¹Yamada, et al. Published on 2002 ,²²Sato, et al. Published on 2003 ,²³Hattori, et al. Published on 2005

Find out more about our prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics here.

Clinical trial programmes

We run extensive clinical trial programmes that primarily investigate the safety of our products as well as their ability to enable normal growth and development. Secondarily, we test the efficacy of our innovations in allergy prevention and management. Our research into the role of gut microbiota in stimulating the immune system has led to the development of a patented prebiotic oligosaccharide blend, which has demonstrated benefits for gastrointestinal function and immune function. Furthermore, our synbiotics have also shown promising results for infants at high risk of developing allergy.

To build upon and strengthen our knowledge around that paradigm shift towards controlled allergen exposure and the role of synbiotics, Danone Research & Innovation has embarked on a clinical trial programme that aims to demonstrate the efficacy of our synbiotic innovations in the prevention and management of allergies.

Learn more about ongoing clinical studies here.