04:51 PM EDT, 09/25/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals ( VRTX ) said late Wednesday it has received marketing authorization from Health Canada for its Casgevy to treat patients 12 years of age and older with sickle cell disease with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia.

The approval follows "positive" interim data from two clinical trials, it said. Sickle cell disease affects the red blood cells, which are essential for carrying oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body.