Global Blood Therapeutics To Present At 17th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - February 05, 2015) - Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of severe blood disorders, today announced that its chief executive officer, Ted W. Love, M.D., will present a corporate update at the 17th Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference. The conference will take place February 9-10, 2015 at the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel.

The company recently initiated a Phase I/II clinical trial of its lead drug candidate, GBT440, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). GBT440 is an oral, once daily dosing, direct-acting sickle hemoglobin (HbS) modifier for the chronic, prophylactic treatment of patients with SCD. The drug is a potential best-in-class disease modifier that works by increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Since oxygenated hemoglobin does not polymerize, GBT440 blocks polymerization of HbS and the resultant sickling of red blood cells (RBCs). With the promise of restoring normal hemoglobin dynamics, GBT440 may be capable of preventing and halting the progression of SCD.

Details of Dr. Love's BIO CEO & Investor Conference presentation are as follows:

Date:
Monday, February 9, 2015

Time:
8:30 a.m. (Eastern)

Room/Location:
Park South Room
Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel

About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder caused by a genetic mutation leading to formation of hemoglobin S (HbS). A primary and obligatory event in the molecular pathogenesis of SCD is the polymerization of deoxygenated HbS. This polymerization results in the red blood cell (RBC) sickling that causes the normally flexible RBCs to become rigid with a significantly shorter lifespan.

Sickled RBCs cannot adapt their shape to allow uninterrupted flow through capillaries (smaller blood vessels). Sickled cells, unlike flexible healthy RBCs, stack up against each other, blocking normal blood flow. As a consequence of the resulting vascular occlusion, patients with SCD suffer acute and chronic complications including unpredictable and recurrent episodes of severe pain, progressive organ damage, stroke and a shortened life expectancy.

About Global Blood Therapeutics

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, small molecule therapeutics to treat grievous blood disorders. The company is addressing serious, non-malignant blood-based conditions for which there are currently only limited therapy. Lead drug candidate, GBT440, is a potentially disease-modifying therapeutic for patients with sickle cell disease. GBT440 is in a Phase I/II clinical trial. In addition to GBT440, the company is advancing pipeline research programs addressing hereditary angioedema (HAE) and hypoxemic pulmonary disorders.

To learn more, please visit: www.globalbloodtx.com.