Brand Institute announced successful partnership with Global Blood Therapeutics in naming their EMA-approved therapy, OXBRYTA, indicated for the treatment of hemolytic anemia due to sickle cell disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older as monotherapy or in combination with hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea). This follows FDA and Health Canada approval of the therapy in 2019. OXBRYTA is the first medicine approved in Europe that directly inhibits sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization, the molecular basis of sickling and destruction of red blood cells in SCD.

OXBRYTA works by increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Since oxygenated sickle hemoglobin does not polymerize, OXBRYTA inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization and the resultant sickling and destruction of red blood cells.