Comparative Potential vs. Standard of Care
Pociredir 20 mg HbF and F-cell levels at 12 weeks (~20% HbF, ~60% F cells) are comparable to the highest quartile responders to hydroxyurea (which averaged ~10% HbF and ~35% F cells overall), suggesting potential to be a best-in-class oral HbF inducer.
Robust HbF Induction at 20 mg
Mean fetal hemoglobin (HbF) increased from 7.1% baseline to 19.3% at week 12 (absolute delta +12.2%), with 7 of 12 patients (58%) achieving ≥20% HbF — a threshold historically linked to clinical protection.
Progression Toward Pancellularity
F-cell percentage approximately doubled from ~31% to 63% at week 12, indicating broader distribution of HbF across red cells and potential for increased cellular protection over time.
Marked Improvements in Hemolysis Biomarkers
LDH fell ~34% and indirect bilirubin fell ~40% at week 12, consistent with reduced hemolysis following HbF induction.
Improvement in Erythropoiesis and Hemoglobin
Reticulocytes decreased by ~42% (less bone marrow stress) and mean total hemoglobin rose by ~1.1 g/dL at 20 mg after 12 weeks (compared with ~0.9 g/dL at 12 mg).
Encouraging VOC Trend in Short-Term Data
Based on baseline rates the cohort would have been expected to experience ~16 VOCs over 12 weeks; during the treatment period the PD analysis subset observed 6 VOCs in 5 patients and 7 of 12 patients reported no VOCs during treatment, an encouraging early signal (study not powered for VOCs).
Generally Well Tolerated Safety Profile
No treatment-related serious adverse events reported at 20 mg, three treatment-related adverse events resolved with continued dosing, and no treatment-related discontinuations; pociredir has now been dosed in ~150 adults to date.
Dose Selection and Pharmacodynamic Rationale
Pharmacodynamic data (HBG mRNA induction) showed dose-responsive effects up to 20 mg but not from 20→30 mg in earlier studies, supporting 20 mg as the dose to take forward into regulatory discussions.
Regulatory and Development Progress
Planned FDA end-of-Phase meeting (minutes expected Q2 2026), intent to initiate a potential registration-enabling trial in H2 2026, EMA protocol assistance engagement mid-2026, and activation of an open-label extension to assess longer-term safety/durability.