Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

Exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), an experimental gene-editing cell therapy, increased fetal hemoglobin levels and prevented vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in 31 people with severe sickle cell disease (SCD), according to new data from the CLIMB-SCD-121 trial. Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics, which are jointly developing the therapy, recently launched…

Graphite Bio’s GPH101, an investigational gene-editing therapy that aims to correct the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease (SCD) and potentially cure the condition, has been awarded fast track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The fast track process is designed to accelerate the…

Disrupting a specific area of the gene that encodes for adult hemoglobin — which is faulty in people with sickle cell disease (SCD) — led to an increase in the production of fetal hemoglobin, a version of the protein normally produced during fetal development, which can help relieve disease…

A naturally-occurring protein called hemopexin, also an investigational therapy for acute vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in sickle cell disease (SCD), safely reduced the signs of such crises in cell and animal models, a study has demonstrated. These findings support an ongoing Phase 1 trial (NCT04285827), sponsored by the…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Health has approved Endari (L-glutamine) for sickle cell disease (SCD), according to Emmaus Life Sciences, the therapy’s developer. During the five-month review process, which was originally expected to take up to one year, the oral therapy was available by early…

Dosing will soon start in a Phase 1/2 trial of GPH101, an experimental gene-editing therapy designed to correct the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease (SCD). The first participant had been enrolled in the study late last year, but due to the recent surge of the SARS-CoV-2…

Red blood cell biomarkers may predict sickle cell disease (SCD) severity and the risk of vaso-occlusive crisis, according to a study that evaluated the FA-WB-VCAM blood test. “Our latest research indicates that one of our clinically available red blood cell health tests called Flow Adhesion of Whole Blood to…

Oxbryta (voxelotor), a daily oral therapy for hemolytic anemia associated with sickle cell disease (SCD), is now available to eligible patients in the U.K. under an early access program. It received a positive scientific opinion by the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) under the Early…

Fewer adults and children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have sought medical care for disease-related events during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in lower hospitalization rates, but longer hospital stays, according to data collected from a specialty center in Southern California that cares for a large number of SCD patients.

Researchers at the University of York in the U.K. have been awarded a $3.1 million (£2.3 million) grant to accelerate research supporting stem cell gene therapy to treat sickle cell disease (SCD). The grant was awarded by the nonprofit Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to track genetic changes in…