Global Blood Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GBT) said on Wednesday it had begun the Phase 2 portion of a Phase 2/3 trial of its drug candidate GBT601, to treat sickle cell disease.
The drug, GBT601, is a sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization inhibitor and works by achieving higher hemoglobin levels and occupancy at a lower dose.
"It has the potential to improve on the clinical results achieved with Oxbryta at a lower daily dose," said Kim Smith-Whitley, head of research and development of GBT.
The company's drug, Oxbryta, is FDA approved to treat sickle cell disease.
The company expects initial data from the trial as well as data from the continuation of GBT601 Phase 1 study to be available before the end of the year.
The mid-stage portion of the study will enroll up to 60 patients who are 18 to 65 years of age.