2023 Clovertex Target of the Year: BCL11A

Medicine experienced a monumental moment in 2023 with the recognition of BCL11A as the 2023 Clovertex "Target of the Year." This recognition stems from its critical role following FDA approval for the groundbreaking therapy Casgevy, which has the distinction of being the first to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 technology in a therapeutic context.

Casgevy is a therapy for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, which are β-hemoglobinopathies caused by mutations in the β-globin gene. Casgevy is a cell therapy that employs CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to modify the erythroid specific enhancer region of the BCL11A gene in the patient's hematopoietic stem cells. BCL11A is a crucial regulator in the switch from γ-globin to β-globin. By editing this region, Casgevy effectively reactivates the expression of γ-globin genes, leading to increased production of fetal hemoglobin in red blood cells. This treatment strategy effectively reverts the patient's blood cells to a more fetal-like state, which is beneficial for those suffering from these blood disorders.

The approval and successful application of Casgevy marks a watershed moment in medicine, heralding the era of gene editing. It not only showcases the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 as a powerful tool for genetic manipulation but also opens new avenues for the treatment of a variety of genetic diseases. The rendering features is the crystal structure of BCL11A in complex with gamma-globin -115 HPFH region(PDB 6KI6).  

About Clovertex

Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.

Useful links

1. FDA approves Vertex and CRISPR's Casgevy as first CRISPR-edited therapy for beta-thalassemia

2. Clovertex website