Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. is preparing to present a mixed bag of phase III Rise Up data to the U.S. FDA in hopes of “full approval” for mitapivat in sickle cell disease (SCD), which would make it its third indication in rare hematology.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy caused by a mutation in the gene encoding β-globin that results in hemoglobin S polymerization, red blood cell (RBC) sickling and hemolytic anemia, among others.
Using C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) antagonists as cell mobilization agents has resulted in some FDA approved agents, such as Plerixafor, for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and neutropenia. Oral cell mobilizers could result in using them in conditions such as sickle-cell disease (SCD) and chronic neutropenia. Emory University has developed and presented data for their CXCR4 antagonist EMU-116.
On the heels of mixed phase III data from Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. with mitapivat to treat sickle cell disease (SCD), Fulcrum Therapeutics Inc. wowed investors by way of initial results from the ongoing 20-mg dose cohort in the phase Ib Pioneer trial testing oral, once-daily fetal hemoglobin inducer pociredir.
Only a couple of years since the first sickle cell disease (SCD) gene therapies gained U.S. FDA approval, researchers are working to expand access for younger children, and to improve manufacturing and commercialization to reach patients faster.
“Our goal is that by the end of this call, you’ll share our conviction in the totality of the data.” So said Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. CEO Brian Goff as the company reported top-line data from its 52-week Rise Up trial testing mitapivat in sickle cell disease showing the oral pyruvate kinase activator hit statistical significance on one of two primary endpoints and two of three key secondary endpoints.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder caused by a single point mutation in the β-globin gene, leading to the production of abnormal hemoglobin. Patients with SCD lacking a compatible donor for allogeneic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell transplantation can benefit from gene therapy approaches.
There was a curate’s egg for Sanofi SA from this month’s meeting of the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, with a recommendation to approve one of the French pharma’s drugs – and the rejection of another.
Up to 71% of people carry at least one pathogenic variant that could contribute to development of a heritable disorder in offspring, but until now, prospective parents often had to undergo multiple tests to understand their risks. Pacific Biosciences of California Inc. (Pacbio)’s expanded Puretarget portfolio provides a quicker and more streamlined solution as it covers all challenging tier 3 genes identified in the American College of Medical Genetics technical standard.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) are severe monogenic blood disorders caused by mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB), resulting in abnormal or insufficient production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). Among emerging therapeutic approaches, the reactivation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) represents one of the most promising strategies for both conditions.
