Pfizer pulls sickle cell treatment Oxbryta off global markets

Pfizer said Wednesday that it was removing Oxbryta, a pill for the treatment of sickle cell disease, from all markets globally due to high risks of severe safety events, including deaths. 

The decision is a stunning blow for a drug that was approved in 2019, heralded as a new way to treat the inherited blood disorder. Pfizer acquired the maker of Oxbryta, a biotech company called Global Blood Therapeutics, in 2022 for $5.4 billion. 

In a statement, Pfizer said the decision to voluntarily withdraw Oxbryta was made based on data showing the drug’s benefit no longer outweighed the risks. Data suggested the drug might increase the risk of pain crises and “fatal events.” 

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