12-Year-Old Kendric Cromer Receives $2.2 Million Gene Therapy for Sickle Cell Disease

Sep 16, 2024, 11:50 PM

Kendric Cromer, a 12-year-old boy, has become one of the first children to be treated with a newly approved gene therapy for sickle cell disease. This treatment, developed by BlueBird Bio, offers hope for a cure and a future free from the excruciating pain that has characterized his life. However, the high cost of the treatment, priced at $2.2 million, poses significant challenges. Insurers are hesitant to cover the expense, and hospitals are wary of the financial burden. The approval of this gene therapy by the FDA marks a significant milestone, but accessibility remains a critical issue for many patients. Deepak Srivastava highlights the broader issue of how to pay for breakthrough cures.