Manchester health campaigners have welcomed the news that two city hospitals are among just a handful of UK centres which will be providing a life-changing new gene therapy for adults and older children.
Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital are on a list of just seven UK centres approved by the NHS to deliver a pioneering gene therapy to those living with severe thalassaemia, a rare and life-limiting blood disorder.
The NHS has negotiated a deal with manufacturer Vertex that will see the treatment enter its Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF), providing NHS patients with fast-tracked access while further evidence on its benefits to patients is gathered over the next five years.
Thalassaemia is a genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce haemoglobin. People living with the condition can experience a wide range of health problems including anaemia and excess iron, caused in part by the need for lifelong blood transfusions, which in turn can lead to conditions such as diabetes, heart problems and cirrhosis.
The two Manchester hospitals will now treat people from all across the North of England, saving them journeys of hundreds of miles to other centres in the Midlands and the South.
Manchester-based charities the Caribbean and African Health Network (CAHN) and the North of England Bone Marrow and Thalassaemia Association (NEBATA) described the news as a “breakthrough”.
Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Chief Executive of CAHN, added: “We are delighted with the introduction of Casgevy, a pioneering therapy that brings renewed hope for individuals living with thalassaemia as it represents a significant advancement in gene-editing therapy treatment.
“Access to such innovative care funded through the NHS is positive development, with the potential to transform lives by not only treatment but also the possibility of a cure. We look forward to supporting our community as they benefit from this healthcare breakthrough.”
