World-first human trials of a new treatment for peanut allergy likened to a "heat-seeking missile" will soon start, with hopes it could eventually stop reactions to shellfish.
About three in every 100 Australian children have a peanut allergy and current treatments focus on reducing symptoms rather than stopping it at the source.
However, the new medication targets antibodies in the body's own immune system that cause reactions and aims to alter them and stop the response from happening.