On Jun. 20, 2003, Genentech drug Xolair (omalizumab) was approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma in certain patients.

Xolair was indicated for Moderate to severe persistent asthma in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with a positive skin test or in vitro reactivity to a perennial aeroallergen and symptoms that are inadequately controlled with inhaled corticosteroids.

Xolair (omalizumab) is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody for use in the treatment of asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, IgE-mediated food allergy, and chronic spontaneous urticaria.