nRBC is being developed for conjunctive use with the current treatments of RBC transfusion and hydroxyurea therapy to the further reduce stroke, acute chest syndrome and painful vaso-occlusive crisis due to chronic hemolysis in sickle cell patients.
FDA has concurred that nRBC may be developed as a therapeutic for sickle cell disease (SCD) based on its documented efficacy in transgenic SCD mice. nRBC is a carrier of both a releasable anti-inflammatory carbon monoxide and is a persistent carrier of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity which provides lasting enhancement of blood flow through the restoration of nitric oxide homeostasis. Its anti-oxidative stress activities also prevent ischemia, reperfusion and inflammation injuries from vaso-occulsion in the brain (stroke), pulmonary vessels (acute chest syndrome) and elsewhere (painful vaso-occlusive crisis) in SCD patients.