FDA Approves bluebird bio’s ZYNTEGLO®, the First Gene Therapy for People with Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia
August 17, 2022 – bluebird bio, Inc. announced the FDA has approved ZYNTEGLO® (betibeglogene autotemcel), also known as beti-cel, a one-time gene therapy custom-designed to treat the underlying genetic cause of beta‑thalassemia in adult and pediatric patients who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
“The FDA approval of ZYNTEGLO offers people with beta-thalassemia the possibility of freedom from burdensome regular red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation, and unlocks new possibilities in their daily lives,” said Andrew Obenshain, the chief executive officer of bluebird bio.
The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation applauds the FDA’s approval of ZYNTEGLO for people with beta‑thalassemia who require regular red blood cell transfusions. The availability of a one-time gene therapy which offers the possibility of transfusion independence opens up new and exciting opportunities for those who are medically eligible to receive this treatment option. While advances in treatment have been of enormous benefit to those with beta-thalassemia, a potentially curative therapy may offer a true life-changing experience.
While ZYNTEGLO’s approval is certainly a big win for beta-thalassemia patients, its breakthrough gene therapy technology offers hope to others battling lifelong diseases.
“After more than a decade of research and clinical development, and through the perseverance of clinicians, patients, and their families, the approval of ZYNTEGLO marks a watershed moment for the field of gene therapy,” Obenshain said. “As the first ex-vivo lentiviral vector gene therapy approved in the U.S. for the treatment of people with beta-thalassemia, we are ushering in a new era in which gene therapy has the potential to transform existing treatment paradigms for diseases that currently carry a lifelong burden of care.”
About ZYNTEGLO
The approval of ZYNTEGLO is the culmination of nearly 10 years of clinical research of gene therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. ZYNTEGLO works by adding functional copies of a modified form of the beta-globin gene (βA-T87Q-globin gene) into a patient’s own hematopoietic (blood) stem cells (HSCs) to allow them to make normal to near normal levels of total hemoglobin without regular RBC transfusions. The functional beta-globin gene is added into a patient’s cells outside of the body (ex-vivo), and then infused into the patient. Though ZYNTEGLO is designed to be administered to the patient once, the treatment process is comprised of several steps that may take place over the course of several months.
Getting Treatment
Due to the complex nature of gene therapy, ZYNTEGLO will be available exclusively at Qualified Treatment Centers (QTCs) which are carefully selected based on their expertise in relevant areas such as stem cell transplantation, cell and gene therapy, and beta-thalassemia; and receive specialized training to administer ZYNTEGLO. Information on bluebird’s QTC network, as well as personalized support focused on the needs of each patient throughout their treatment journey and information on insurance coverage and access will be available through bluebird’s patient support program, my bluebird support. Patients can call 833-888-NEST (833-888-6378) for more information, and additional details will be available at mybluebirdsupport.com in the coming days.