News

Adakveo Available in UK’s NHS for Patients 16 and Older

Adakveo (crizanlizumab), by Novartis, is now available on the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients 16 and older. The new treatment, which is delivered by an into-the-vein infusion, can be used alone or as an add-on to hydroxyurea to help reduce the frequency of…

Eligible Patients in UK Granted Early Access to Oxbryta

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…

Pandemic Leading to Fewer Hospital Stays, but More Severe Crises

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.

Blood Vessel Narrowing, Reduced Flow May Drive SCD Pain Crises

Blood vessel narrowing due to external or internal stimuli, and the resulting reduced blood flow, may be the main drivers of the painful vaso-occlusive crises experienced by people with sickle cell disease (SCD). Inducing stimuli for such blood vessel narrowing include mental stress, pain, and extreme temperatures, either low…

UK Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Research Awarded $3.1M Grant

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…