Casgevy’s authorization, an effective therapy against two potentially lethal blood diseases, opens a new era in medicine

The European Commission has authorised the first CRISPR treatment to edit human DNA. The treatment, called Casgevy, is effective against two deadly blood diseases: beta thalassemia and sickle cell anemia. More than 8,000 patients in Europe are eligible for this treatment, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics. The UK and US have already approved the treatment, although its high cost – two million euros per patient – is an obstacle for many. Treatment involves using the CRISPR technique to correct errors in the patient’s DNA and then reintroducing the modified cells into the patient’s body. This progress could potentially transform the lives of patients, although the price in Spain is still unknown.