In 2020, SCDAA’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) was formed to address community concerns about COVID-19. Since then, MARAC’s team of acclaimed sickle cell experts have provided important guidance on topics like gene therapy, vaccinations, infectious diseases and more. MARAC’s global reach helps inform sickle cell warriors, caregivers and providers across the world.
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Dr. Edward Donnell Ivy
Chief Medical Officer -
Dr. Crawford Strunk
Vice Chief Medical Officer
MARAC Statement: Pfizer Inclacumab Announcement
August 15, 2025 – In a statement issued today, Pfizer announced the results of their Phase 3 THRIVE-131 study evaluating inclacumab.... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: ASH Report on Exercise and SCT Crisis Risk
Feb. 5, 2025 – On January 30, 2025, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) published a report that found no evidence... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Pfizer’s Voxelotor (Oxbryta®) Withdrawal
SCDAA Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) Statement: Pfizer’s Voxelotor (Oxbryta®) Withdrawal 9/27/24 What is the news? Pfizer announced the withdrawal... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Parvovirus B19, Fever and Urgent Care
MARAC Statement: Parvovirus B19, Fever and Urgent Care Aug. 13, 2024 – More infections with parvovirus B19, also known as “fifth... Continue Reading
SCDAA Statement About Gene Therapy Approval
On Dec. 8, 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two cell-based gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD), Casgevy... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Health Insurance Coverage for MSD SCT
MARAC Statement: Health Insurance Coverage for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease from HLA-matched Sibling Donor (MSD HCT) Sept.... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Update About COVID
Sept. 16, 2023 – The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) infections seem to have settled down, and we are now seeing... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Crizanlizumab (Adakveo)
July 7, 2023 – SCDAA’s Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) notes that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement: Penicillin Shortage
Penicillin VK solution is suffering from intermittent supply shortages. This can affect children with sickle cell disease. Penicillin VK in liquid... Continue Reading
MARAC Statement on Influenza
December 6, 2022 — The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) Medical and Research Advisory Committee (MARAC) shares the following:... Continue Reading