Global Blood gains on 90-day sickle cell data

Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:GBT) gained $2 to $24.15 on Friday after newly presented 90-day data showed sickle disease candidate GBT440 led to durable reductions in hemolysis in an ongoing dose-escalation Phase I/II study. Data were presented at the European Hematology Association meeting in Copenhagen. The trial is enrolling patients in the multiple-ascending dose portion.

Global Blood said six patients in a cohort receiving 700 mg GBT440 daily for 90 days had a durable reduction in hemolysis from baseline to day 90, as determined by bilirubin levels, and a median decrease in reticulocyte count of about 20% vs. a 20% increase for the cohort's two placebo patients. GBT440 also led to a median decrease in irreversibly sickled cells of about 70% within 90 days vs. a 15% increase for placebo. ...