Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

A new formulation of Oxbryta (voxelotor) that is suitable for treating children as young as 4 is now available in the U.S. at specialty pharmacies. Late last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approval of Oxbryta to treat children with sickle cell disease (SCD)…

Agios Pharmaceuticals has launched a Phase 2/3 trial called RISE UP to test its investigational therapy mitapivat (AG-348) in people with sickle cell disease (SCD). The trial (NCT05031780), which is not yet recruiting, aims to enroll about 237 people with SCD, ages 16 and older. To be…

The first participant has been enrolled in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial CEDAR evaluating Graphite Bio’s investigational gene editing therapy GPH101, which is designed to directly correct the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease (SCD). “We are thrilled that our first patient is now enrolled in our CEDAR…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Beam Therapeutics to start clinical testing of BEAM-101, the company’s investigational gene editing cell therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD). “BEAM-101 has the potential to offer a one-time treatment for patients with sickle cell disease, and this clearance enables…

In support of its work to develop a rapid test that can be used to diagnose sickle cell disease (SCD), a team of undergraduate researchers at Lehigh University has received a $15,000 award as part of the National Institutes of Health’s Healthcare Technologies for Low-Resource Settings Prize. “I was…

A point-of-care, low-cost device called Gazelle — that’s both portable and easy to use — can accurately diagnose sickle cell disease (SCD) in less than 15 minutes, according to a study done in India. As noted by researchers, this device has the potential to be adopted as a…

Emmaus Life Sciences is seeking the approval of Endari (L-glutamine), an oral treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), in the the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “We look forward to working with the U.A.E Ministry of Health to bring this important medication to our patient population in the…

GPH101, Graphite Bio’s investigational gene editing therapy, is able to correct the disease-causing mutation in blood stem cells of people with sickle cell disease (SCD), new preclinical data shows. Graphite also announced it remains on track to start enrolling participants in a Phase 1/2 trial testing the gene…

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $10.5-million grant to support several research projects seeking to improve care for people with sickle cell disease (SCD). Research will focus on children and young adults, and on combating racism and other barriers to proper healthcare. SCD disproportionately affects Black…

The Sickle Cell Consortium, a U.S.-based nonprofit, is hosting a virtual event in late August that will focus on facilitating conversations among people with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their caregivers. “We’re bringing these patients together to talk about what they’re experiencing, strategies for navigating the realities brought…