Sangart granted orphan drug designation for sickle cell drug

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to a drug for treating sickle cell disease.

Drug maker Sangart said Monday that the FDA had granted the designation to MP4CO for treating acute pain “sickling” crises in patients with the disease. The FDA grants orphan drug designation to drugs in development for treating diseases and conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States, providing them with financial incentives for development and extra market exclusivity if the drug is approved.

The drug is in preclinical development, according to Sangart.