Chimeric Therapies Gets Testing Approval

Chimeric Therapies Inc. in Laguna Niguel said it has received regulatory clearance to begin clinical testing of a graft engineering technology in high-risk patients with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell anemia is potentially curable with bone marrow transplants, but certain limitations exist in the treatment, like the availability of a matched donor and treatment-related toxicity.

Chimeric’s approach will use donated marrow with minimal conditioning to the recipient. The marrow also will be processed using proprietary technology to reduce the likelihood of transplant-related illness.