S. 735: Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2025, aims to improve the approach to sickle cell disease (SCD) by amending existing public health laws. Here are the key components of what this legislation would do:

1. Reauthorization of Sickle Cell Disease Program

The bill seeks to reauthorize a program focused on the prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease. It proposes changes to the Public Health Service Act that would refine how the federal government supports sickle cell disease initiatives.

2. Expanded Definitions

• The language in the law would be updated to specify that the focus is not just on the prevention and treatment of sickle cell disease itself but also includes the prevention and treatment of complications that arise from the disease.

3. Grant and Contract Flexibility

The bill modifies the way the government can engage with organizations for sickle cell disease support. Specifically, it allows for:

• The option to make grants to organizations, as well as enter contracts or cooperative agreements, giving more flexibility in funding.

4. Increased Funding

The bill proposes an increase in the funding allocated to sickle cell disease programs, setting it at $8,205,000 per year for the period from 2025 to 2029. This significantly raises the previously allotted amount of $4,455,000 per year during earlier years.

5. Emphasis on Research

There is a strong emphasis in the bill on the need for further research into heritable blood disorders, with Congress expressing the belief that more studies are required to understand the causes of these conditions and to potentially discover cures.

6. Implementation Timeline

The proposed changes and the increased funding are set to go into effect starting in fiscal year 2025.

Relevant Companies

• ABBV (AbbVie Inc.): Though primarily focused on other therapeutic areas, any advancements in sickle cell disease treatments may create a landscape for partnerships or new product development in their portfolio.
• CRSP (CRISPR Therapeutics AG): This company is involved in gene editing therapies, which could intersect with research efforts aimed at hereditary blood disorders, including sickle cell disease.
• BLUE (bluebird bio, Inc.): Known for its work on gene therapies for blood disorders, bluebird bio could be directly impacted by increased research and funding in this area.