Abdelaziz Fahem։ Novo Nordisk Reports Positive Phase 3 Results for Etavopivat
Abdelaziz Fahem, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Clinical Research at Hemara Bio, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Good news in SCD clinical trials is unfortunately so rare that this one needs to be celebrated as it deserves.
Novo Nordisk has just shared positive phase 3 results with etavopivat, a selective erythrocyte PKR activator, in the HIBISCUS study.
According to the company release, etavopivat met both co-primary endpoints at 52 weeks: a statistically significant reduction in annualised VOC rate and a clinically meaningful increase in haemoglobin.
If confirmed in full peer-reviewed publication, this would represent the first phase 3 demonstration that PKR activation can translate into both hematologic improvement AND crisis reduction in SCD.
Mechanistically, this matters.
By increasing ATP and lowering 2,3-DPG, PKR activation improves red cell energetics and reduces HbS polymerization.
The concept has long been biologically sound BUT the clinical validation at phase 3 level is what changes the conversation.
Compared with other PK activators, prior programs have shown haemoglobin improvements but have struggled to demonstrate robust VOC reduction in pivotal settings.
The apparent dual impact on haemolysis and clinical events is therefore particularly relevant.
Of course, the magnitude of VOC reduction, subgroup consistency, durability, and long-term safety will determine how practice-changing this ultimately becomes.
But for a field that has seen multiple disappointments in recent years, a positive, well-controlled phase 3 signal targeting red cell metabolism is meaningful.
We now await the full dataset.”
Stay updated on all scientific advances with Hemostasis Today.
-
Sep 17, 2026, 09:14Angela Weyand: ASH 2026 Iron Deficiency Guidelines
-
Sep 17, 2026, 08:18Anirban Sen Gupta: From Flow to Clot Insights Into Hemostasis and Thrombosis
-
Sep 17, 2026, 08:03Aya Sherif: HEMO COP – Building a Collaborative Future for Hemophilia Care
-
Sep 17, 2026, 07:50Applications Are Now Open for the 2026 WFH IHTC Fellowships
-
Sep 17, 2026, 07:37Jim Hoffman: Could NET Removal Help Restore Vascular Homeostasis?
-
Sep 17, 2026, 04:43Tom Tang: Preventing Post Thrombotic Syndrome Starts With Early DVT Prevention
-
Sep 17, 2026, 04:35Veronica Sanchez: Menopause as a Risk for Heart Disaese
-
Sep 17, 2026, 03:20Jessica Frye: Understanding VTE in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
-
Sep 17, 2026, 03:04Leonardo Roever: Exploring the Role of Glutamine Metabolism in Atherosclerosis