Nov 15, 2019: FDA approved Novartis’s Adakveo (crizanlizumab-tmca) for the treatment to reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease for patients age 16 years and older. it is first targeted therapy of its kind. It inhibits selectin protein that contributes cell sticking and results in a vaso-occlusive crisis. The FDA granted Priority Review, Orphan Drug designation and Breakthrough Therapy designation for Adakveo. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-crizanlizumab-tmca-sickle-cell-disease