# GSK acquiring firm developing food allergy treatment in £1.6bn deal

By Russ Mould — 2026-01-20

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “GSK is betting big on a potential breakthrough to help people with food allergies.

“It is buying RAPT Therapeutics to access a treatment currently going through drug trials that could make life a lot easier for food allergy sufferers with less frequent dosing than current treatments.

“There are still hurdles to clear in the testing process and no guarantee of success, yet these sorts of initiatives are exactly the risks that big pharma like GSK must take.

“Food allergies are a major concern, and they’re being taken very seriously as anyone who goes to a restaurant will know.

“It has now become standard practice for a waiter to ask diners if they have a food allergy.

“In the UK alone, around six per cent of the adult population have a food allergy, according to the Food Standards Agency.

“If GSK can crack the formula for a more convenient treatment, it stands to potentially make big bucks.”

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