FARE Announces Recipients of $1 Million in Grant Funding for Research Related to Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES)
FPIES is a less-researched food allergy disease that affects an estimated 900,000 people in the U.S.
McLEAN, Va. (May 29, 2024) FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), the leading nonprofit organization engaged in food allergy education and advocacy—and the largest provider of charitable support for food allergy research in the U.S.—today announced the recipients of $1 million in grant funding for two new research projects focused on Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), a poorly understood food allergy disorder affecting an estimated 900,000 people in the US.
FPIES typically affects infants and young children causing intense, repetitive bouts of GI distress 1-4 hours after ingesting an allergen. Cases are difficult to diagnose and treat because reactions can look like symptoms of an infection.
The proposals chosen aim to identify the underlying mechanism of FPIES to advance diagnosis and treatment.
“Current methods for diagnosing FPIES are inadequate, and confirmation of the disease often requires an oral food challenge which entails exposing the patient to the suspected food and soliciting a reaction,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, and CEO of FARE. “FARE’s mission includes funding the development of new diagnostics and treatments for patients with the disease of food allergy—an area of study that lags far behind that of other serious, chronic illnesses – so we are proud to announce the recipients of this funding.”
The award recipients are:
- Peter Hsu, MBBS, PhD, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Australia: This research aims to identify the specific types of immune cells involved in FPIES to offer insights into how FPIES can be diagnosed and treated.
- Marta Vazquez-Ortiz, MD, PhD, Imperial College London, United Kingdom: The end goal of the research is to develop a diagnostic test which can provide a quick, correct diagnosis when patients first attend emergency departments, and a predictive test to avoid the need to undergo food challenges.
These recipients were chosen through a rigorous external peer review process and ultimately approved by FARE’s Scientific Advisory Council (SAC), a forum of esteemed subject matter experts working at the leading edge of diverse disciplines.
This research is made possible through a donation from philanthropists who would like to remain anonymous.
Poblete continued, “On behalf of FARE and the community our organization represents, thank you to the incredible donor enabling this important work.”
For more information on FARE’s funding initiatives, please visit us here.
Media Contact:
About FARE
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is the nation’s leading non-profit engaged in food allergy advocacy and the largest food allergy charity supporting research. FARE’s innovative education, advocacy and research initiatives transform the future of food allergy through new and improved treatments and prevention strategies, effective policies and legislation, and novel approaches to managing the disease. To learn more, visit: foodallergy.org.