Novartis drug cuts serious complications in sickle cell disease

Novartis’ developmental sickle cell disease drug crizanlizumab cut occurrences of a serious complication of the disease that can lead to irreversible or fatal organ damage, according to mid-stage data.

Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is a common and painful complication of the disease, where circulation of blood vessels is obstructed by sickled red blood cells.