In this case, the panel was not asked to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Vertex’s drug, which is looking for approval for individuals ages 12 and up with severe illness. The drug, called exa-cel, treats sickle cell illness, an inherited blood disorder that affects an estimated 100,000 folks in the U.S., most of whom are Black, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With over fifty four,000 print readers and almost 181,000 unique visitors a month, it’s the place healthcare decision-makers go for timely, actionable news and evaluation on the ever-changing health and healthcare panorama. “With …