The 2027-2031 collaboration will support healthcare professionals with education, evidence-based resources and new initiatives to improve allergy recognition and management worldwide.
Opella, a global consumer healthcare company, and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) have announced a five-year global partnership to improve how allergic diseases are recognised and managed in everyday healthcare settings.
Running from 2027 to 2031, the partnership will combine WAO’s international network of allergy societies with Opella’s scientific expertise and experience in self-care. The initiative will focus on healthcare professionals who often serve as the first point of care for people with allergies, including general practitioners, paediatricians, pharmacists, nurses and primary care teams.
The announcement was made at the 32nd World Allergy Congress in Kyoto, Japan, where the organisations also introduced the first WAO-Opella Award for Innovative Solutions in Everyday Allergy Care.
New Award to Recognise Better Allergy Care
The award will recognise measurable improvements in the recognition and management of allergic diseases in frontline healthcare settings. Applications will open in January 2027, with the first winners expected to be announced in mid-2027 and presented at the World Allergy Congress in October.
Opella and WAO will also publish their first joint Self-care in Allergy Report in December 2026. The report aims to highlight the need for greater awareness, earlier action and stronger support for people living with allergies.
The wider partnership will focus on encouraging earlier diagnosis, promoting best-practice management and identifying innovative approaches that improve patient outcomes in everyday clinical settings.
Addressing the Growing Burden of Allergies
Allergic diseases affect a substantial and growing share of the global population, particularly children and adolescents. Allergic rhinitis alone affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remains frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Beyond physical symptoms, allergies can affect sleep, school and work performance, wellbeing and overall quality of life. Earlier recognition, appropriate self-care, timely professional advice and clear referral pathways can help improve outcomes.
Dr. Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer of Opella, said the partnership would bring together the company’s self-care expertise and WAO’s scientific leadership to strengthen allergy care globally.
She highlighted plans for healthcare professional engagement, education, health literacy initiatives, evidence-based resources and care pathways to help people manage their allergies with greater confidence.
Prof. Mário Morais-Almeida, President of the World Allergy Organization, said allergic diseases are often first recognised and managed in primary care, paediatrics, pharmacies and community settings rather than specialist clinics.
He emphasised the importance of bringing evidence-based, WAO-endorsed guidance closer to frontline healthcare professionals and addressing gaps in access to high-quality allergy care.
Global Network to Support the Initiative
WAO will invite its network of allergy societies worldwide to promote and participate in the partnership. The organisations will also engage international experts and key opinion leaders as they develop health literacy programmes and initiatives for frontline care.
Further details on these activities are expected in the coming months. Through the five-year collaboration, Opella and WAO aim to strengthen everyday allergy care and improve support for people living with allergic diseases worldwide.
