From Antihistamines to Biotech: A New Era in Allergy Relief
Written by: Pacagen Team
Reviewed by: David Zhang, PhD
David is an immunologist, bioengineer, and a scientific advisor at Pacagen.
If you’ve ever battled with itchy eyes, a runny nose, or mysterious skin rashes that appear just from cuddling your pet or cleaning the house—you're not alone.
Allergies affect millions of Americans every year. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 35-70 million Americans are allergic to cats and/or dogs, 20 million have dust mite allergies and 81 million are allergic to pollen. To add complexity, a significant portion of the US population has more than one type of allergy (AAFA, 2024). While the symptoms may feel timeless, the treatments certainly aren’t.
Let’s take a look at how allergy relief has evolved—from traditional medications to modern biotech innovations that are changing the game.
Then: the tried and tested but imperfect allergy treatments
For decades, allergy management has mostly meant learning to live with discomfort. Many people turned to familiar medications: antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or allergy immunotherapy.
“For over half a century, doctors have treated allergic conditions using many of the same medicines and treatments still in use today. Among the most popular are antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and allergy immunotherapy. Each works differently and has its own pros and cons.” explains Harvard physician-scientist Dr. Ben Ouyang, MD, PhD.
These treatments work, but they’re not perfect:
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Antihistamines help by blocking histamines, which are the chemicals your body releases during an allergic reaction. They’re fast-acting but can leave you groggy.
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Nasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation in your airways but often cause nasal dryness, nosebleeds, or an unpleasant aftertaste.
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Immunotherapy—allergy shots or under-the-tongue tablets—offers a more permanent solution, but it’s a long road. According to the Cleveland Clinic, only 60% of people report lasting results after 3–5 years of treatment.
Dr. Ouyang also points out that “Drugs like dupilumab (Dupixent) and omalizumab (Xolair) can be highly effective but because they are new, niche, and expensive at tens of thousands of dollars per year, they are often used in later line therapy.”
Now: how biotech is changing allergy relief
While traditional treatments treat your body’s response to the allergens, a new wave of biotech innovation is flipping the script—by targeting the allergens themselves.
This approach is gaining traction thanks to new technologies inspired by the natural immune systems of animals like alpacas. A class of proteins called single-domain antibodies (also known as nanobodies) are especially good at recognizing and neutralizing specific threats like allergens.
Pacagen’s co-founders, Princeton chemical engineer Dr. Evan Zhao, PhD, and molecular biologist Dr. Siyang Han, PhD, are using these kinds of proteins in a novel way.
“The allergen neutralizing formula harnesses the power of naturally engineered proteins to precisely target and neutralize specific allergens, including cat, dog, and dust mite allergens, making them effective compared to other medical treatments and harmless to the surrounding environment”— Dr. Zhao, PhD
Their team bioengineered WhiskerBlock and EnviroBlock, two proteins designed to latch onto common allergens and neutralize them before they can trigger symptoms. For instance:
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WhiskerBlock Alpha binds to cat allergen Fel d 1—neutralizing it at the source.
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WhiskerBlock Beta binds to dog allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2 —neutralizing them at the source.
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EnviroBlock targets dust mite allergen Der p 1—neutralizing its enzyme activity.
These proteins are now being integrated into everyday products:
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A cat allergen neutralizing spray that can be sprayed to bind and neutralize Fel d 1 allergens in the air and surfaces.
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A cat food topper that neutralizes allergens in cats’ saliva.
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A dog allergen neutralizing spray that can be sprayed to bind and neutralize Can f 1 and Can f 2 allergens in the air and surfaces.
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A dust allergen spray that binds and neutralizes Der p 1 and Der p 2 allergens in the air and surfaces.
These solutions don’t replace traditional medicine—but they offer a non-intrusive, complementary way to reduce exposure at the source.
Then vs. now: shifting the allergy conversation
Historically, allergy relief has focused on managing symptoms after they appear. With biotech innovations, the conversation is shifting toward preventing allergic reactions from even starting.
Dr. Ouyang points out that biotech isn’t just about fancy formulas—it’s about reimagining what relief can look like.
“There has been exciting development in the biologics space for serious autoimmune and allergy conditions. These are typically medicines derived from living organisms or their products and repurposed to help cure a specific disease.”
Looking ahead
We’re entering a new era of allergy relief—one where personalized care, advanced biotechnology, and better environmental understanding all come together.
These innovations represent a major breakthrough in allergy management where the goal isn't just to suppress the sneezing or cover up the rashes. It’s to reduce your exposure to allergens, improve your day-to-day quality of life, and empower allergic individuals with options that are both scientific and sustainable.
If you’re managing allergies today, you’re doing it at the cusp of one of the most exciting periods in allergy science. Relief might just be a protein spray away.
