News

Extended-release formulation of Ferriprox now approved in Canada

Health Canada has approved an extended-release formulation of Ferriprox (deferiprone) to treat iron overload in people with sickle cell disease (SCD) and other blood disorders. The key benefit of the new formulation, according to the therapy’s maker, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, is that it reduces the medication’s dosing…

Free new app aims to help SCD patients and families manage care

Salveo Therapeutics and the newsmagazine African Sickle Cell News and World Report — known as Sickle Cell News — are collaborating to promote a new free application (app) that seeks to empower sickle cell disease (SCD) patients to take more control of their health and wellbeing. The overarching aim…

Higher hemoglobin levels tied to lower end-organ damage risk

Higher levels of hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport — were associated with a lower risk of end-organ damage with sickle cell disease (SCD), a retrospective study has found. The risk was higher for patients with hemoglobin levels below 7 g/dL and increased…

SCDAA, 8 pharma companies team up to increase trial participation

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) is collaborating with several pharmaceutical companies in a new initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the blood disorder and promoting clinical trial participation. Along with the SCDAA, the Sickle Cell Disease Collaboration of Advocates for Research, Education, and Science — officially…

Suburban Propane hopes to boost SCD awareness with blood drive

Suburban Propane Partners recently teamed up with the American Red Cross, its longtime national collaborator, to host a blood drive in Boston to boost sickle cell disease (SCD) awareness and encourage blood donations. The event was attended by Willie Gross, Boston’s former, and first, African American police commissioner. Some…

Vertex to develop conditioning agent for SCD gene-editing therapy

Vertex Pharmaceuticals will use ImmunoGen technology to develop less aggressive conditioning approaches for exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel), its experimental gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. Vertex will pay ImmunoGen $15 million up front to use its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology to develop…