Home / Business and Economy / Sickle Cell Drug Scrapped Amid Cancer Fears
Sickle Cell Drug Scrapped Amid Cancer Fears
4 Jun
Summary
- Fulcrum Therapeutics halted development of its sickle cell drug, pociredir.
- The decision followed U.S. FDA concerns over cancer risks linked to the drug.
- The company is now exploring strategic options, including a sale or merger.
Fulcrum Therapeutics has decided to discontinue the development of its experimental sickle-cell disease drug, pociredir, following safety concerns from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA cited risks of secondary cancers associated with drugs targeting the PRC2 protein complex. Despite Fulcrum's argument for a distinct risk profile, the FDA concluded that all drugs acting on this complex carry similar malignancy risks.
This abrupt halt led to a 52% drop in Fulcrum's shares on Tuesday. The company is now exploring strategic alternatives, which may include a sale or merger, and is implementing cost-cutting measures to preserve cash. This development represents another significant challenge in the ongoing efforts to develop effective treatments for sickle-cell disease, an inherited blood disorder affecting millions worldwide.
