Novartis, GBT report sickle cell data

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS; SIX:NOVN) and Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GBT) each reported data from studies of treatments for sickle cell disease. Novartis' data from a study of crizanlizumab (SEG101, formerly SelG1) were the driver of its deal to acquire Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corp. last month (see BioCentury Extra, Nov. 21).

In the Phase II SUSTAIN trial, Novartis said high-dose crizanlizumab reduced the median annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC) vs. placebo by 45.3% (1.63 vs. 2.98, p=0.010), meeting the study's primary endpoint. A low dose did not meet the endpoint (2.01 vs. 3.0, p=0.180). Patients with a history of 2-10 pain crises in the prior 12 months were given 5.0 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg IV crizanlizumab every four weeks, alone or with hydroxyurea therapy, for 50 weeks...