News

Pfizer Fully Acquires Global Blood Therapeutics, Oxbryta for SCD

In a $5.4 billion deal, Pfizer fully acquired Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), bolstering its decades-long standing in the field of rare blood disorders, particularly regarding sickle cell disease (SCD). With the newly completed acquisition — plans were announced in August — Pfizer gains GBT’s therapy portfolio and pipeline.

SCDAA Launches ‘Believe it!’ Awareness Campaign

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), in collaboration with Forma Therapeutics, is launching a campaign to raise awareness and boost knowledge about sickle cell disease (SCD). The campaign, called “Believe it!”, will be promoted on television and radio channels, encouraging people to go through the website…

Companies to Seek BLA Approval of Gene-editing Therapy for SCD

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics are planning a November launch for a biologics license application (BLA) for their gene-editing therapy exagamglogene autotemcel — known as exa-cel — seeking its approval for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…

GBT Backs Passage of Expansive SCD Treatment Centers Act

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) supports the recently introduced Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2022 (HR 8855/S 4866), which calls for $535 million in annual funding for sickle cell disease (SCD) treatment, research, and education. Introduced on Sept. 15, the legislation would create a national network of…

‘Aflac Duck’ Robots Delivered at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

To help bring awareness this month to sickle cell disease (SCD) and childhood cancers, the supplemental insurance provider Aflac recently engaged young patients with those disorders at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in south Florida through its My Special Aflac Duck social robot program. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness…