Vertex Pharma's £1.65 million ($2.05 million) gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), Casgevy, has been given the green light for use by the NHS in England under a managed access scheme and with a confidential discount.

Charity organisation Sickle Cell Society has described the recommendation as a “major breakthrough” for sickle cell patients.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) announced Friday a reimbursement agreement with England’s National Health Service (NHS) to allow patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) to access its gene-edited therapy Casgevy,

People in England with sickle cell will be able to get the world’s first CRISPR-based medicine under an agreement between the U.K. and Vertex.

Around 1,700 people could be eligible for the one-time treatment, which is seen as a less risky alternative to a donor stem cell transplant

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX) announced today a reimbursement agreement with NHS England for eligible sickle cell disease (SCD) patients to access the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited therapy, CASGEVY® (exagamglogene autotemcel).