News

FDA decision on lovo-cel for SCD now expected by year’s end

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to decide before year’s end on whether or not to approve the experimental gene therapy lovotibeglogene autotemcel — known as lovo-cel — for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) who have a history of painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). The…

Supporters set to mark World Sickle Cell Day on June 19

With events ranging from a candlelight vigil to a new hospital exhibit to a 5K, supporters are poised to mark World Sickle Cell Day on June 19 to heighten awareness of the genetic blood disorder that affects millions of people internationally — and about 100,000 individuals in the U.S. In…

CHMP recommends revoking Adakveo’s EU conditional approval

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is recommending the conditional approval of Adakveo (crizanlizumab) for sickle cell disease (SCD) be revoked in Europe. According to the therapy’s developer Novartis, a final decision from the European Commission is expected in about two months. In the…

New Assistance Fund program will aid underserved SCD patients

The Assistance Fund (TAF) has launched a new financial assistance program to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for people with sickle cell disease (SCD). The program will cover copayments, health insurance premiums, costs related to ground travel needed to get treatment, and genetic testing, for people with SCD who…