CAD is a severe, chronic, rare blood disorder.¹ It is a type of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), which means that the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own red blood cells by mistake.²

Symptoms of CAD may include fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, anemia, transfusion requirements, dark urine, and increased risk of thrombotic events like stroke or heart attack.²

In people with CAD, autoantibodies such as immunoglobin M (IgM) cause red blood cells to clump together when extremities (nose, ears, fingers, toes) are exposed to cold temperatures or when an individual with CAD has a compromised immune system or infection.³ Then, the complement cascade, which plays an important role in the immune system, is activated to destroy heathy red blood cells in a process called hemolysis.^4,5

Excessive activation of the complement cascade can lead to the onset or progression of many diseases including CAD.^6,7

There are limited treatment options for CAD, so there is a significant unmet need for new therapies.

Pegcetacoplan in CAD

Pegcetacoplan is a targeted C3 therapy under investigation for CAD. We believe controlling complement may stop the body from attacking its own red blood cells and minimize the symptoms associated with CAD.