Sickle Cell Knocks Out NFL Player. Can these Companies Help?

Sickle cell disease is debilitating to millions of Americans, including Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark. Although Clark only has one copy of the sickle cell gene - two are required for the full-blown disease - his body was adversely affected when him and his team traveled to high altitudes in Denver for the playoffs.

For Clark and millions of others, sickle cell disease is debilitating and prevents many Americans from pursuing the goals they want to. Although biomedical science is progressing on a daily basis, there are no cures or affordable therapies available to the masses. In fact, the one effective therapy is a bone marrow transplant, a treatment only feasible for affluent Americans. Perhaps companies that specialize in blood diseases will be able to tackle sickle cell anemia.

Cerus Corp CERS s a small-cap firm that develops and markets a blood safety system known as the INTERCEPT system. INTERCEPT is commonly used in blood transfusions to clean the blood of pathogens. Cerus' flagship product could be one of the treatments that alleviates sickle cell anemia for many patients. The company's business model, however, may hold it back from maximum exposure.

The firm's INTERCEPT system is common in transfusions, meaning that its impact will be limited to those who can afford the surgery in the first place. These people do not represent the vast majority of those afflicted with sickle cell disease, meaning that Cerus may be limiting its exposure to the "sickle cell" market.

Haemonetics HAE is a medical device company that develops supplements and devices targeted for blood purity. The company has a global reach, with many multinational hospitals in its list of clientele. Its devices are highly versatile and are targeted to blood purity in a personal setting as well as in a hospital setting.

Given Haemonotics significant outreach, it could be a company that makes a large difference to sickle cell patients. The company has been ramping up research and development expenditures over the years, and as it is waiting for drugs to finish clinical trials, it may be able to devote time to sickle cell anemia.

CytRx Corp CYTR is a small-cap pharmaceutical that primarily involves itself in common debilitating diseases. The company currently has various drugs targeting cancers including lymphoma and leukemia, but is actively expanding its product portfolio to include other blood-based diseases. In fact, it has been working alongside Cypros Pharmaceutical to develop a drug for sickle cell anemia.

CytRx may also have other medications in store, but it was unable to comment on its existing partnerships or current drug pipeline. Although Benzinga was unable to receive confirmation, CytRx is known to be developing at least one sickle cell treatment.

Sickle cell anemia is a debilitating disease that has rendered many Americans unable to pursue their hopes and goals. Ryan Clark of the Pittsburgh Steelers is unable to play because of his genetic profile, which does not even contain both copies of the disease' gene.

If any of these small-cap companies are able to solve the puzzle, the global biomedical landscape could be changed forever.

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