Sutimlimab for treating haemolytic anaemia in cold agglutinin disease

Sutimlimab is in development for the treatment of cold agglutinin disease (CAD). CAD is an uncommon and severe blood disease in which the body’s natural defence system (immune system) incorrectly attacks its own red blood cells. This causes them to stick together (agglutinate) and to be destroyed (haemolysis) resulting in low red blood cell counts. People with CAD suffer from long lasting and serious anaemia, fatigue, life-threatening events such as stroke and heart attack and have an increased risk of death. Current treatment options are not specific to CAD and may have serious side effects. People with CAD may also require many blood transfusions, which can be costly, time consuming and can lead to too much iron build up in the body over time.