Abuja: With an estimated four million Nigerians living with sickle cell disease, experts have urged the government to invest in local manufacturing of gene therapy treatment. They made this appeal during a media briefing at the 5th Global Sickle Cell Congress in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Jennifer Adair, Co-founder of the Global Gene Therapy Initiative, explained that gene therapy is a new curative treatment for sickle cell disease that uses the patient's own bone marrow cells, eliminating the need for an unaffected donor. She stated that if all components are manufactured locally, the cost of gene therapy would significantly decrease. Adair emphasized the importance of government investment in local economies and manufacturing to make these therapies more affordable and scalable within the country's economic framework. She highlighted that no gene therapy clinical trial for sickle cell has been conducted in Africa, where the majority of patients reside.
Adair noted that the congress was crucial as Nigeria has the largest number of people living with sickle cell disease globally. She stressed the importance of raising awareness among Nigerians, particularly those affected by the disease, about the potential of curative therapies like gene therapy and bone marrow transplants for a better future. The two-day congress focused on addressing the global burden of sickle cell disease, discussing gene therapy, bone marrow transplants, and other emerging treatments.
Dr. Alexis Thompson, a Physician Scientist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, U.S., spoke about recent advances in improving outcomes for sickle cell disease. She mentioned that over the last five to ten years, science has progressed to allow patients to be their own donors, potentially offering long-term control over their sickle cell disease. Thompson shared that her institution had conducted trials for approved products and those currently in clinical trial, emphasizing the transformative impact on patients' lives through gene therapy and other curative treatments.
Mr. Jimi Olaghere, a patient treated for sickle cell disease with gene therapy, shared his personal experience. He underwent comprehensive screening and care, eventually enrolling in a gene therapy trial. Olaghere recounted his journey from prenatal screening in the U.S. to participating in a CRISPR-based gene therapy trial 35 years later, which has drastically changed his life. He expressed excitement about returning to Nigeria to demonstrate the impact of gene therapies and curative treatments to the community.