We’re excited to announce our first ever Sick Cells Therapeutics Conference on November 12 & 13, 2025, in Washington, DC — with a virtual option for those joining remotely. This year’s theme is Therapeutics Unlocked as we aim to empower the sickle cell community with knowledge about existing and emerging treatment options, the value of clinical research, and the policy efforts shaping equitable access to care. The Therapeutics Conference is unlocking access by uniting science, stories, and systems change.
Clinical trial education has dropped in the SCD community. However, clinical trials and access to care are continuous hurdles for those living with SCD. To alleviate this gap, the Sick Cells Therapeutics Conference will provide an opportunity to hear directly from clinical trial participants and their reflections on the experience, hear from industry on drug and therapy pipelines, opportunities to participate in trials, and a discussion on the policy environment and the impact policy and regulation is having on therapeutics.
KFF Barbara Jordan Conference Center
1330 G Street, NW
Washington, DC, 20005
Public Transportation: Metro to Metro Center Station (Orange, Blue or Silver line)
Nearby Hotel: The Washington Marriott at Metro Center
Agenda is subject to change up to the event date
| Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
| 03:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Open Reception Exhibit booths available for viewing |
| Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
| 08:00 AM – 09:30 AM | Registration Exhibit booths available for viewing |
| 09:30 AM – 09:40 AM | Welcome Remarks Speaker: Jamie Dornfeld |
| 09:40 AM – 10:10 AM | Keynote Ashley Valentine, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Sick Cells |
| 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM | Therapeutics Landscape & Clinical Trial Overview Speakers: Mike Callaghan, MD; Andrew Campbell, MD; Norris Turner, PharmD, PhD; Maia Laing (Moderator)This session will provide an overview of the current therapeutics pipeline, explain what clinical trials are, outline the phases of clinical trials, and address topics such as accelerated approvals, withdrawals, trial purpose, safety, and a preview of ongoing clinical trials. |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Break |
| 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Vertex Gene Therapy Overview for Sickle Cell Disease Speaker: Shantá RobertsonThis presentation will offer educational information about Vertex’s gene therapy approach for sickle cell disease. |
| 11:35 AM – 11:50 AM | Pfizer Rare Disease-Sickle Cell Disease Pipeline Speaker: Aleisha Richards, PharmDThis presentation will provide an overview of Pfizer’s sickle cell disease pipeline compounds. |
| 11:55 AM – 12:25 PM | Clinical Trial Education with a Patient Educator Speakers: Brenda Martin, CPNP-PC, Doris Polanco, Melissa Akinlawon (Moderator)This discussion will explore barriers to clinical trial participation, provide clear explanations of how patients can get involved, and highlight why participation is meaningful for individuals and the SCD community. |
| 12:25 PM – 01:35 PM | Lunch Exhibit booths available for viewing |
| 01:35 PM – 02:05 PM | Community Experience with Clinical Trials Speakers: André Harris, Antuan Sartin, Jess Sims, Adrienne Shapiro (Moderator)In conversation with community members, this panel will feature firsthand experiences from individuals who have participated in clinical trials along with insight from experts who support trial navigation. Participants will share what the recruitment process looks like, what it is like to be part of a study, what support is available during participation, and what happens at the conclusion of a trial |
| 02:10 PM – 02:30 PM | Exploring New Research in Sickle Cell Disease: Updates from the Pioneer Study Speakers: Sheinei Alan, MD, PhD; Wally Smith, MDThis presentation will provide educational information about Fulcrum’s sickle cell disease study. |
| 02:30 PM – 02:45 PM | Break |
| 02:45 PM – 03:15 PM | Policy Implications on Therapeutic Development Speakers: Sara Davis, Annie Kennedy, Josh Trent, Ryann Hill (Moderator)This session will provide an overview of the policy and regulatory environment and examine how these systems influence therapeutic development, access, and innovation. |
| 03:20 PM – 03:30 PM | RISE UP Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Program: Clinical Trials Designed with Patients, for Patients Speaker: Janie DavisThis presentation will provide educational information about Agios’ clinical trials. |
| 03:35 PM – 03:55 PM | Holistic Care: Expanding on Normative Care Speaker: Tabatha McGeeThis presentation will provide an overview of additional care options available to individuals living with sickle cell disease. |
| 04:00 PM – 04:30 PM | Getting Involved: Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Trials Speaker: Andy Ellner, MD; Kim Smith-Whitley, MD; Wally Smith, MD; Maia Laing (Moderator)This panel will offer a practical, solution-oriented look at how to participate in a clinical trial. Panelists will explain how to find active trials, what the typical enrollment process involves, and how to engage your primary care provider. This session aims to demystify clinical trials and address common barriers to getting started. |
| 04:30 PM – 04:45 PM | Closing Remarks |
For more details about the 2025 Therapeutics Conference, download the Program Book by clicking the image or button below.
Thank you to our sponsors.
