- Terumo BCT invests in Hemex Health, and Chetan Makam joins its Board of Directors to accelerate access to critical testing and care
- Areas of collaboration include clinical research, digital integration and regional pilots to improve access to Hb variant testing with Hemex Health’s Gazelle™
LAKEWOOD, Colo., USA — Oct. 9, 2025 — Millions of people living with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin (Hb) disorders face delayed diagnosis and limited access to care, especially in regions where testing is scarce.1 To help address these challenges, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT), a global medical technology company, has made a strategic minority investment in Hemex Health, a global biomarker measurement innovator. This investment reflects Terumo BCT’s confidence in Hemex’s innovative platform and aligns with the shared strategy of improving outcomes for patients with sickle cell disease and other Hb disorders.
As part of the strategic investment, Terumo BCT’s Chetan Makam, General Manager, Global Blood Solutions, has been appointed to Hemex’s Board of Directors. The board appointment is expected to strengthen collaboration between the companies and help unlock new opportunities for driving the shared strategy.
Together, the organizations are exploring opportunities to broaden access to Hb variant testing using Hemex Health’s Gazelle™ — a critical tool for identifying and quantifying Hb types in the blood, including those associated with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.2 Identifying Hb variants in the blood enables early treatment, and ongoing measurement can help assess the impact of treatment.3 Yet in many regions, access to this testing is limited, delaying diagnosis and treatment for millions.4
“Our investment in Hemex and continued exploration of potential areas of collaboration is about meeting patients where they are, especially in communities that have long been underserved,” said Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO, Terumo BCT. “For too many, Hb variant testing comes too late, or not at all.4 By bridging monitoring and treatment, we’re changing that narrative and delivering timely, life-changing care to those who need it most.”
Strategic areas of collaboration
Terumo BCT and Hemex Health are exploring several key areas of potential collaboration to enable a more personalized, connected and comprehensive approach to patient care, including:
- Evidence generation
- Digital solutions accross the patient journey
- Patient access through strategic collaboration
“Knowing the treatment pathway, from diagnosis to care, is key for patients,” said Makam. “At Terumo BCT, we endeavor to build a portfolio of tools that support patients and caregivers every step of the way. Our partnership with Hemex reflects our deep commitment to delivering real-world solutions that empower both providers and patients. By connecting every step of the patient journey, we aim to reshape the sickle cell ecosystem and improve outcomes at every stage.”
Global burden of sickle cell disease
Based on the latest published numbers and population growth rates from the World Health Organization and The Lancet Haematology, it is estimated that there are between 8.27 and 8.60 million people impacted by sickle cell disease.1,5,6 Nearly 80% of cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa; however, the condition is also prevalent in India, the Middle East and parts of the Mediterranean.1 Despite the scale of the condition, access to timely diagnosis and effective treatment remains limited, particularly in low-resource settings.4
“Access to timely Hb variant testing can change the trajectory of a patient’s life,” said Patti White, CEO of Hemex Health. “By working with Terumo BCT, we’re expanding the reach of Gazelle and helping more people get the answers, and care, they deserve.”
Scaling impact globally
Gazelle is CE-marked and currently available in over 40 countries across Africa, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with plans to seek U.S. FDA clearance in the near future.7 The platform has already conducted over 3 million tests and will further expand its reach through this collaboration.
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About Hemex Health
Hemex Health impacts health outcomes in the world’s most challenging markets by developing affordable point-of-care diagnostics that quickly deliver reliable results. The company’s diagnostic solutions are affordable for both low- and high-income areas, simple enough to be used by entry-level healthcare workers and designed to provide reliable answers for clinicians to immediately take action. Hemex is driven to democratize diagnostics for patients with the greatest needs. The Gazelle technology was developed in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University. Hemex Health is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with an additional location in Mumbai, India. More information can be found at Hemexhealth.com.
About Gazelle
Gazelle, a compact and rugged, battery-operated in vitro diagnostic platform, uses artificial intelligence, innovative optics and miniaturization to enable a broader range of users to test for diseases in underserved areas.
Entry-level healthcare workers use Gazelle inexpensively in locations with limited access, resources or electricity. The platform digitally captures patient information and results for storage, printing or later transmission. Gazelle is available for identifying Hb variants, which aids in the diagnosis of sickle cell and beta thalassemia in over 40 countries. This versatile approach will allow the company to continually add new diseases to its menu of tests and reach additional users.
Gazelle provides an accurate and rapid digital solution that operates effectively in the world’s most challenging environments. Learn more about Gazelle at https://hemexhealth.com/products.
Gazelle is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Hemex Health, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
About 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 160 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending.
Terumo BCT has global headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado, U.S., along with five regional headquarters, eight manufacturing sites and six innovation and development centers across the globe. Terumo BCT is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543), a global leader in medical technology.
1. World Health Organization. Sickle-cell disease. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sickle-cell-disease
2. Shrivas S, Patel M, Kumar R, et al. Evaluation of microchip-based point-of-care device "Gazelle" for diagnosis of sickle cell disease in India. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:639208. doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.639208
3. Brandow AM, Liem RI. Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease. J Hematol Oncol. 2022;15(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s13045-022-01237-z
4. Shrestha P, Lohse H, Bhatla C, et al. Evaluation of low-cost techniques to detect sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia: an open-label, international, multicentre study. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia. 2025;35:100571. doi: 10.1016/j.lansea.2025.100571
5. Thomson AM, McHugh TA, Oron AP, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence and mortality burden of sickle cell disease, 2000–2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Haematol. 2023;10(8):e585-e599. doi:10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7
6. Correction. Thomson AM, McHugh TA, Oron AP, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence and mortality burden of sickle cell disease, 2000–2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet Haematol. 2023;10(8):e585-e599. doi:10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7.
7. Shapiro L. Hemex awarded $3M to bring Gazelle diagnostic test to US. Sickle Cell Dis News. Bionews, Inc. March 28, 2023. https://sicklecellanemianews.com/news/hemex-awarded-3m-bring-gazelle-diagnostic-test-us/
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