Adil Adatia, MD

HCPLive Five: AAAAI 2026

2026 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

 annual meeting in Philadelphia from February 27 – March 2, investigators presented new data spanning drug hypersensitivity, food 

 treatment, microbiome science, and biologic therapies for chronic inflammatory disease.

In this installment of HCPLive Five, the editorial team highlights 5 key expert interviews conducted on site, featuring insights from leading clinicians and investigators on emerging data. Topics include pharmacogenomic risk for lamotrigine-induced DRESS, adjunct biologic strategies for multi-allergen oral immunotherapy (OIT), microbiome modulation in infants born via cesarean delivery, and long-acting biologic therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and hereditary angioedema (HAE).

HLA-A*32:01 Linked to Lamotrigine DRESS Risk, With Matthew Krantz, MD

New research highlights a strong genetic association between the antiseizure medication lamotrigine and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) among carriers of the HLA-A*32:01 allele. In an interview, Matthew Krantz, MD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discussed prospective case-control findings conducted with Mass General Brigham showing 12-fold increased odds of lamotrigine-induced DRESS among HLA-A*32:01 carriers.

The multi-institutional analysis included 30 confirmed DRESS cases and 300 lamotrigine-tolerant controls from the BioVU biobank. Findings show the potential role of HLA genotyping in clarifying causality when multiple medications are involved and may inform future pharmacogenomic strategies to identify patients at elevated risk for severe lamotrigine hypersensitivity.

Dupilumab Reduces GI Symptoms During Multi-Allergen OIT, With Sayantani Sindher, MD

Findings from the COMBINE trial suggest the biologic dupilumab may improve tolerability and desensitization during omalizumab-facilitated multi-allergen OIT. In an interview, Sayantani Sindher, MD, from Stanford University, discussed results from the randomized study of 108 patients with multiple food allergies undergoing OIT. Although adding dupilumab did not significantly improve sustained unresponsiveness, it increased tolerance to higher allergen doses and reduced gastrointestinal adverse events.

Participants receiving dupilumab tolerated larger allergen exposures and experienced fewer GI symptoms per dose. Findings suggest dupilumab may serve as a targeted adjunct therapy to improve safety and patient experience during multi-allergen OIT.

Vaginal Seeding Partially Modifies Infant Microbiome in ACTIVATE, With Jose Clemente, PhD

Results from the ACTIVATE trial suggest vaginal microbial transfer may partially modify the infant gut microbiome in cesarean-delivered infants and influence early allergy risk. In an interview, Jose Clemente, PhD, from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sina, discussed findings showing that vaginal seeding increased colonization with beneficial microbes such as 

 shortly after birth and temporarily shifted microbiome profiles toward those seen in vaginally delivered infants. Although global microbiome differences diminished by 12 months, infants with successful microbial transfer showed lower levels of microbes associated with food sensitization.

Twice-Yearly Depemokimab Reduces Rescue Use in Recurrent CRSwNP, With Josesph Han, MD

A pooled post hoc analysis of ANCHOR-1 and ANCHOR-2 suggests the anti–IL-5 biologic depemokimab may improve disease control in patients with CRSwNP and prior surgery. In an interview, Joseph K. Han, MD, from Old Dominion University, discussed findings showing twice-yearly depemokimab improved nasal obstruction, sense of smell, and health-related quality of life compared with placebo in patients with type 2 inflammation. Depemokimab significantly reduced the need for rescue interventions such as systemic corticosteroids or additional surgery.

Navenibart at 3- and 6-Month Dosing Reduces HAE Attacks, With Adil Adatia, MD

Interim phase 2 ALPHA-SOLAR data suggest the investigational monoclonal antibody navenibart may provide durable prophylaxis for HAE types 1 and 2. In an interview, Adil Adatia, MD, from University of Alberta, reported that both 3-month and 6-month subcutaneous dosing schedules produced substantial reductions in HAE attacks, with median reductions exceeding 95%. The long-acting plasma kallikrein–targeting antibody demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with mostly mild treatment-emergent adverse events and few injection-site reactions.

Investigators also noted improvements in patient quality of life as attack frequency declined. Findings support continued evaluation of navenibart in the ongoing phase 3 ALPHA-ORBIT trial.

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This HCPLive Five captures 5 interviews conducted on-site at AAAAI 2026.

HCPLive Five at AAAAI 2026

2026 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) 

annual meeting in Philadelphia, Adil Adatia, MD, assistant professor at the University of Alberta, presented interim data from the ongoing phase 2 ALPHA-SOLAR trial evaluating navenibart, a long-acting monoclonal antibody targeting plasma kallikrein for prophylaxis in 

 types 1 and 2. The primary endpoint was the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), and secondary endpoints included changes in time-normalized HAE attack rates.

Navenibart is designed for subcutaneous administration every 3 (Q3M) or 6 months (Q6M). In the ALPHA-SOLAR study, both dosing schedules demonstrated favorable safety profiles and substantial reductions in HAE attacks. Median reductions exceeded 95% in both arms, with marked decreases in moderate-to-severe episodes. Injection-site reactions were uncommon, likely due to navenibart’s formulation avoiding citric acid, which is associated with pain in some currently available therapies.

Mechanistically, navenibart is unique among HAE treatments due to its YTE modification, which increases binding to the neonatal Fc receptor. This prolongs the product’s IgG half-life.

“A standard IgG molecule would have a half-life of around 4 weeks, whereas this product can be dosed up to every 6 months,” Adatia said.

On average, novenibart reduced HAE attacks from baseline by 92% (median, 97%) in participants receiving 600 mg then 300 mg Q3M and 90% (median, 97%) in participants receiving 600 mg Q6M. Moderate or severe attacks reduced from mean rates of 1.6 to 0.90 (median, 1.1 to 0.6) in participants receiving 600 mg then 300 mg Q3M and 0.77 to 0.08 (median, 0.53 to 0) in participants receiving 600 mg Q6M.

At data cutoff (October 10, 2025), participants had 7 to 24 months (mean, 12.7) of follow-up. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 69% of participants, primarily mild and including injection-site reactions, nasopharyngitis, urinary tract infections, headaches, myalgia, and skin lacerations. Only 1 serious adverse event—an invasive ductal breast carcinoma—led to discontinuation. Non-TEAE discontinuations included pregnancy, participant withdrawal, and an undocumented reason.

The study also underscored quality-of-life improvements. With HAE, patients have a reduced quality of life due to the painful nature of the attacks and the worry of having another attack.

“When you have such profound reductions that we saw in this study in the attack rates, you're able to address both factors, so patients start to get used to not having those attacks on a regular basis, and they start to be able to engage in their regular in activities they wouldn't otherwise be engaging in, whether it's going camping in the summertime or traveling,” Adatia said. “And, over time, as they get used to not having attacks, that worry of the next impending attack being serious starts to decrease.”

While the open-label, non-placebo-controlled design of phase 2 limits definitive conclusions, these results informed the ongoing phase 3 ALPHA-ORBIT trial, which includes both Q3M and Q6M dosing arms and a broader population, including adolescents. Adatia emphasized anticipation for the 6-month dosing data and adolescent responses.

“My expectation, and from my experience discussing different treatment options with patients, is they're interested in treatments that are safe, efficacious, and offer the lowest treatment burden,” Adatia said. “I think whether someone is struggling with adherence because they're on a more frequently dosed therapy, whether they're well controlled on their current therapy, or they fall somewhere in the middle, they will find this attractive, and I anticipate that many patients will be interested in it if hopefully it comes to the market.”

Adatia A, Sitz K, Yang W, et al. New Submission. 

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

 doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2025.12.965

Phase 2 ALPHA-SOLAR data presented at AAAAI 2026 show navenibart provides >95% median attack reduction in HAE with favorable safety for 3- and 6-month prophylaxis.


HCPLive Five at ACAAI 2025

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting

 in Orlando, leading clinicians from UT Health Houston, the University of Alberta, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and community allergy practices presented pivotal updates in asthma, immunology, dermatology, and anaphylaxis care. This HCPLive Five highlights emerging data across eosinophilic disorders, chronic rhinosinusitis, hereditary angioedema (HAE), anaphylaxis management, and atopic dermatitis, each offering clinicians new insights into rapidly evolving therapeutic landscapes.

Benralizumab Reduces HES Flare in Phase 3 Trial, With Princess Ogbogu, MD

Benralizumab significantly reduced flare events and fatigue in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), according to phase 3 NATRON results presented at ACAAI 2025. In an interview with HCPLive, Princess Ogbogu, MD, of the University of Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, highlighted the therapy’s impact on time to first flare, annualized flare rates, and hematologic relapse, noting patients on benralizumab did significantly better than those on placebo. Improvements in PROMIS Fatigue scores emerged by week 4. Safety findings aligned with prior benralizumab data, with mostly mild adverse events.

Dupilumab Shows Promise for Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis in Phase 3 Trial, With Amber Luong, MD, PhD

Dupilumab demonstrated strong efficacy for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) in the phase 3 LIBERTY AIMS trial, offering a potential new option for this challenging CRSwNP subtype. Amber Luong, MD, PhD, from UT Health Houston, presented data at ACAAI 2025 showing significant improvements in sinus opacification, nasal polyp size, and congestion by weeks 24 and 52, with dupilumab reducing the need for oral steroids or surgery by 92%. The year-long study enrolled 62 rigorously diagnosed patients and met all primary and secondary endpoints. Safety findings aligned with dupilumab’s known profile.

Sebetralstat Shows Promise for On-Demand HAE Treatment in Children, With Adil Adatia, MD

Adil Adatia, MD, from the University of Alberta, presented interim KONFIDENT-KID findings showing that oral sebetralstat safely and rapidly reduced symptoms of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in children aged 2 - 11 years. The oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor, already approved for patients ≥12, was administered within 30 minutes of symptom onset, with a median time to first improvement of four hours. No treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, and pharmacokinetic data aligned with adult studies. Adatia emphasized the promise of a fast-dissolving oral option for young children, noting its potential to replace challenging IV therapies and transform timely, at-home pediatric HAE management.

Sublingual Epinephrine Film Rapidly Works in Children, With David Golden, MD

David Golden, MD, from Johns Hopkins, presented phase 1 data showing that AQST-109 (Anaphylm), a sublingual epinephrine film, rapidly reaches therapeutic levels in children, triggering cardiovascular effects within 2 minutes. In 32 participants aged 7 – 17 years, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics closely mirrored adult findings, with therapeutic plasma levels achieved by 5 - 8 minutes and peak concentrations at 10 minutes. Heart rate and blood pressure rose early, confirming fast onset. Golden emphasized that the needle-free film performed comparably to adult data and may offer an effective alternative to intranasal and injectable epinephrine options for children at risk of severe allergic reactions.

Tapinarof Shows Early, Sustained Benefits in Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis, With Druhan Howell, MD

Druhan Howell, MD, a pediatrics-trained allergist practicing in Mobile, Alabama, highlighted sub-analysis data from the ADORING 1 and 2 trials showing that 1% tapinarof cream delivers early, sustained benefits in children aged 2–17 with atopic dermatitis (AD). Across 654 pediatric patients, including those with asthma, allergic rhinitis, or food allergies, tapinarof improved skin clearance, eczema severity, itch, sleep, and overall symptom burden as early as week 1, with effects maintained through week 8. EASI-75 and vIGA-AD™ response rates were significantly higher than vehicle, regardless of comorbidities. Safety was consistent with prior findings, with no new signals.

This HCPLive Five features advancements in asthma, immunology, and allergy that were presented at the ACAAI 2025 meeting in Orlando.

2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting

, Adil Adatia, MD, FRCPC, from the University of Alberta, shared interim results from the KONFIDENT-KID trial assessing sebetralstat for on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in children aged 2 to 11 years.

“It’s very reassuring to see that this tablet was used quickly after the onset of symptoms,” Adatia told HCPLive during an on-site interview. “So with very young children, it is challenging to do clinical trials because they may not report specific symptoms attributable to a hereditary angioedema attack.”

In the United States, the only currently approved on-demand treatment option for children with HAE is intravenous plasma-derived C1 inhibitor therapy. Because IV administration can be difficult to perform at home, many pediatric attacks remain untreated or are managed in emergency settings, delaying care.

Sebetralstat, an oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor already approved for patients aged ≥ 12 years, was evaluated for safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in younger children. The trial included 3 dosing cohorts based on age.

Interim results indicated no treatment-emergent adverse events, suggesting a favorable safety profile consistent with data seen in adults. Pharmacokinetic findings showed plasma concentrations aligned with prior studies, and efficacy analyses demonstrated a median time to first improvement of four hours.

Participants initiated treatment at a median of 30 minutes after symptom onset, highlighting the potential of oral therapy to enable faster, at-home intervention. The study used an oral disintegrating tablet formulation designed to dissolve quickly on the tongue or in a small amount of liquid, facilitating administration in young children.

“…the time to event analysis showed that patients were better with a median of 4 hours, and so patients were getting rapid improvement,” Adatia said.

According to the findings, early treatment was associated with reduced attack duration and improved symptom control. The interim data support the continued evaluation of oral on-demand options for pediatric HAE, which may improve timely access to therapy and overall quality of care.

“I think in the future oral on-demand treatment will become the standard, and most patients will use oral on-demand treatments because they're much easier to use and they can be administered much more rapidly,”

Adatia said. “When you administer treatment early compared to the onset of symptoms, you can get a much faster resolution, so I think that is hopefully the direction that [HAE care] will take.”

Adatia has no relevant reported disclosures.

Adatia A. Sebetralstat for On-demand Treatment of Hereditary Angioedema in Pediatric (2-11y) Patients: Interim Results from KONFIDENT-KID. Late-breaker presented at ACAAI 2025 in Orlando, Florida, on November 8, 2025.

At ACAAI 2025, Adatia discussed interim KONFIDENT-KID trial findings showing oral sebetralstat safely reduced symptom burden in pediatric HAE.

Adil Adatia, MD

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