New pill could cut blood transfusions for blood disorders

NCT ID NCT04987489

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This Phase 2 study tested an experimental drug called etavopivat in 53 people with thalassemia or sickle cell disease. The goal was to see if the pill could safely reduce the number of red blood cell transfusions needed and raise hemoglobin levels. Participants took 400 mg of etavopivat once daily, and researchers measured transfusion reduction and hemoglobin response over 12 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

etavopivat (FT-4202) tablets

What this could lead to

If successful, etavopivat could offer a new oral option to reduce the need for frequent blood transfusions and improve hemoglobin levels in people with thalassemia or sickle cell disease.

What could go wrong

This is an early-phase, small trial (53 participants) with no placebo group, so results may not be definitive. The drug may not work for everyone or could have side effects not yet fully understood.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

alpha thalassemia spectrum anemia beta thalassemia hematologic disorder hemoglobin E-beta-thalassemia syndrome hemoglobin H disease Hemolysis hemolytic anemia hereditary disease inherited hemoglobinopathy sickle cell disease Sickle Cell Trait thalassemia Vaso-Occlusive Crises

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • A.O.U. Università Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"

    Naples, 80138, Italy

  • AORN A. Cardarelli

    Naples, 80131, Italy

  • Abu El-Reesh El-Mounira Children University Hospital

    Cairo, Egypt, 4241317, Egypt

  • Barts Health NHS Trust - The Royal London Hospital

    London, E1 1FR, United Kingdom

  • CHU Sainte-Justine Mother and Child University Hospital

    Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada

  • Cairo University

    Cairo, 12613, Egypt

  • Children's Hospital of Atlanta

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States

  • Children's Hosptl Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • Children's National Health Hospital

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States

  • Chronic Care Center

    Baabda, RGWX 4CG, Lebanon

  • Duke University

    Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States

  • East Carolina University

    Greenville, North Carolina, 27858, United States

  • Fondazione IRCSS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

    Milan, 20122, Italy

  • Galliera Hospital Centro Anemie Congenite

    Genova, 16128, Italy

  • Hammersmith Hospital - London

    London, W12 0HS, United Kingdom

  • Hospital Nini

    Tripoli, 1434, Lebanon

  • Kings College London

    London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom

  • Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

    Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom

  • Master Centre for Canada

    Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4XI, Canada

  • Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust SCAT/ haematology

    Birmingham, B18 7QH, United Kingdom

  • TOI Clinical Research

    Cerritos, California, 90703, United States

  • The Hospital for Sick Children

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

  • UCI Health

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

  • UCSF Oakland Benioff ChildHosp

    Oakland, California, 94609, United States

  • University College Hospital - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    London, NW1 2PG, United Kingdom

  • University Health Network - Toronto General Hospital

    Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada

  • University of Californ LA-UCLA

    Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

  • Weill Medical College of Cornell University

    New York, New York, 10065, United States

  • [Legal] Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States

  • [Legal] Children's Hospital Medical Center dba Cincinnati Children's

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States

  • [Legal] Children's Hospital of Orange County on behalf of CHOC Children's Hospital of Orange County

    Orange, California, 92868, United States

  • [Legal] Dr. Vince Clinical Research, LLC and Dr. Vince Clinical Research, P.A.

    Detroit, Michigan, 48201-2018, United States