Corporate
News release
TopLAKEWOOD, Colo., February 25, 2025 –Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT), a medical technology company, announced a partnership with the nonprofit National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers (NASCC) that aims to improve the lives of people with sickle cell disease (SCD) by addressing gaps in access to blood transfusion therapy and helping educate healthcare providers about how transfusion therapy can be used to improve patient outcomes.
The BET on Blood for SCD partnership is focused on the concept that Blood is an Essential Therapy for Sickle Cell Warriors living with the disease. Blood transfusions help physicians prevent complications and treat acute crises by replacing sickled cells with healthy ones. Terumo BCT makes products that collect, process and separate blood and cells. In some cases, red blood cell transfusions using these technologies can help people living with SCD to prevent stroke or other organ complications. For people with severe acute vaso-occlusive crises, exchange transfusion can be lifesaving.
SCD advocates say prevention and managing painful symptoms are critical for patient outcomes. Still, it’s challenging for many patients to access appropriate care due to the complexity of SCD. For example, surveillance data from California showed that 24% of children and 56% of adults with SCD did not see a hematologist over the three-year period of study*.
“NASCC’s goal is to ensure that every person in the U.S. living with sickle cell disease has access to a sickle cell specialist and the appropriate blood therapy,” says Dr. Julie Kanter, President of NASCC, co-director of the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at the University of Alabama Birmingham and a hematologist specializing in SCD. “The BET on Blood for SCD partnership is critical to improving patient care and access to therapies. Together we will work to create more personalized, effective treatment strategies and improve patients' quality of life.”
Currently a range of disease-modifying treatments for SCD exist including medication, cellular therapies and blood-based therapies such as automated red blood cell exchange, a treatment to help manage SCD that is performed on Terumo BCT’s Spectra OptiaTM Therapeutic Apheresis System.
"Over 94% of therapeutic apheresis procedures are performed on our devices, so Terumo BCT is uniquely positioned to drive transformative improvements in SCD patient care," said Joy Duemke, Director of North America Commercialization at Terumo BCT. “We look forward to working with NASCC to improve the lives of Sickle Cell Warriors. This partnership will bring together industry, prescribers, therapeutic apheresis providers and blood centers to help increase access to blood therapies and enable better outcomes for patients.”
Product and protocol availability varies by country.
Spectra Optia™ is either a registered trademark or trademark of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/trademarks for details.
* HoriuchiSSophia, ZhouMei, SnyderAngela, PaulukonisTSusan. (2022September13). Hematologist encounters among Medicaid patients who have sickle cell disease. Blood Advances, 5128–5131. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007622tations
About BET on Blood for Sickle Cell Disease
NASCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting U.S. sickle cell centers with a national network of over 100 recognized multi-disciplinary SCD centers. NASCC and Terumo BCT will combine their collective expertise with the BET on Blood for SCD partnership to focus on comprehensive strategies to address systemic challenges in SCD care related to blood therapy and cellular therapies. Initiatives include:
- Optimizing access to blood, blood utilization and vascular access techniques
- Enhancing practices for blood-based therapies, specifically automated red cell exchange
- Expanding education and awareness about critical blood therapies
- Connecting industry, patient groups and caregivers to develop comprehensive solutions
About National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers (NASCC)
The National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers (NASCC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality care for individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is a network of recognized SCD centers including healthcare professionals, mental health providers, nurses, social workers, and many other team members focused on promoting best practices in clinical care and ensuring access to high-quality care for SCD patients. NASCC strives to ensure that everyone living with SCD has access to a SCD specialist. To sustain this mission, NASCC is dedicated to supporting SCD centers in providing high-quality care, standardizing and improving care pathways and providing resources, guidelines, and support to member centers and the broader SCD community.
About Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions. Our employees worldwide believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers. Terumo BCT’s customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers and private medical practices. Our customers are based in over 150 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending. We have global headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado, along with five regional headquarters, seven manufacturing sites and six innovation and development centers across the globe. Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543), a global leader in medical technology.
About Terumo
Terumo (TSE: 4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to “Contributing to Society through Healthcare” for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large.