The reimbursement agreement comes as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issues positive guidance recommending CASGEVY’s use in the NHS. It means that eligible SCD patients in England now have access to the therapy following the prior agreement for transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT) patients announced last August.

“Today is an important day for the sickle cell community who have gone too long without treatments that address the underlying cause of their devastating disease,” said Ludovic Fenaux, Senior Vice President, Vertex International. “We are pleased to have reached this new agreement that ensures both eligible SCD and TDT patients can now be treated with CASGEVY, recognizing the value a one-time treatment can provide to patients, their families and the healthcare system.”

The administration of the therapy requires experience in stem cell transplantation and the management of hemoglobinopathies; therefore, Vertex is continuing to engage with experienced hospitals throughout England to establish a network of independently operated authorized treatment centers (ATCs).