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ARTICLE | Emerging Company Profile

Battling blood

How Global Blood's GBT440 could prevent RBC sickling in sickle cell disease

February 2, 2015 8:00 AM UTC

Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. is developing a small molecule that allosterically binds to hemoglobin and could be a disease-modifying treatment for sickle cell disease.

The product could provide an alternative to the only cure - bone marrow transplant - as well as to Phase III candidates that are seeking to reduce the duration or frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis. These acute pain crises are caused when sickled red blood cells block vessels, and usually require hospitalization and narcotics...