Bahrain approves Casgevy for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia

CRISPR Therapeutics/Casgevy (exa-cel)

Bahrain's National Health Regulatory Authority approved Casgevy, the CRISPR-edited stem-cell therapy, for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia on 2 December 2023. It was the second country to authorise Casgevy, after the UK, and the first in the Middle East.

• Bahrain approval came weeks after UK (17 November 2023), signalling rapid international adoption.
• Sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are particularly prevalent in Middle Eastern populations.
• Casgevy has now been approved in UK, Bahrain, US (FDA) and EU (EC); regulatory momentum continues.
• Access in Bahrain expands the global patient population eligible for CRISPR-based treatment.