Baxter buys AesRx and with it Aes -103 an investigational drug for Sickle Cell Disease

Baxter International Inc. has announced the acquisition of AesRx, LLC , a private U.S. biopharmaceutical company focused on orphan drug targets, including the development and commercialization of Aes -103, an investigational prophylactic treatment for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Aes -103 is a first-in-class, oral, small molecule compound (5-hydroxymethylfurfural). Early studies indicate the compound may work by binding to hemoglobin and increasing oxygen affinity and stabilization, thereby reducing the sickling of red blood cells which, in turn, may reduce sickling-related outcomes such as vaso-occlusive crisis, pain, severe anemia, and fatigue. Aes -103 has received Orphan designation from the FDA and is eligible for Orphan designation in Europe .The Aes -103 program is currently in a Phase II clinical trial as part of an ongoing collaboration with the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) through its Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) program.