The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a second use for the first CRISPR-based medicine, Casgevy, which was approved in December to treat sickle cell disease.

The groundbreaking treatment can now also be used to treat transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia in people 12 and older. Like sickle cell, beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder.

To make Casgevy, a person’s stem cells are genetically modified using a precision gene editing technique called CRISPR/Cas9. The modified cells are then transplanted back into the body, where they grow and multiply and increase the production of hemoglobin, which decreases symptoms.

The treatment lists for $2.2 million for both sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

  • toiletobserver
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    21 year ago

    You just don’t get it. They stole someone else’s technology fair and square, then found a specific application to charge too much for. It’s the American way. /s

    • @oDDmON
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      11 year ago

      Yeah, screw R&D, mergers and acquisitions is the way to go. ;)

      • toiletobserver
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        11 year ago

        I’m also into murders and executions