--- title: Functional Fluidics to Join Biomarker Debate and Present New Research at ASCAT 2026 in London description: Functional Fluidics to Join Biomarker Debate and Present New Research at ASCAT 2026 in London image: https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-10-03%20153006.png --- [![functionalfluidics\_logo](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/functionalfluidics_logo.jpg?width=132&name=functionalfluidics_logo.jpg)](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/) - [About Us](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/about-us) - [Services](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/services) - [Assays](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2) - [Flow Adhesion](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/flow-adhesion) - [Mechanical Fragility](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/mechanical-fragility) - [Dynamic Sickling Assay](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-dynamicsicklingassay) - [Oxygenscan](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays/lorrca-oxygenscan) - [Osmoscan](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2/flow-adhesion-reverse-0) - [Contract Research](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/contractresearch) - [Nigeria Research Center](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/functional_fluidics_nigeria) - [RBC Test Menu](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Test%20Menu%20(2).pdf) - Scientific Resources - [Peer Reviewed Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/peerreviewed) - [Abstracts](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/abstracts) - [ELIPSIS](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/scientificresources/elipsis) - [News](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/news-and-presentations) [\< Go Back To News & Media](https://www-functionalfluidics-com.sandbox.hs-sites.com/news-and-presentations/) ## Functional Fluidics to Join Biomarker Debate and Present New Research at ASCAT 2026 in London Functional Fluidics to Join Biomarker Debate and Present New Research at ASCAT 2026 in London - - - October 3, 2026 0% read Subscribe to our Newsletter Functional Fluidics will be making two appearances at the 21st Annual Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Conference (ASCAT 2026). The conference runs from October 7–10 at Central Hall Westminster, London.The company will take part in the conference's featured debate on SCD biomarkers and present new research in the poster program. Both appearances focus on how functional biomarkers can improve prediction, monitoring and treatment of SCD, and speed new therapies to patients.  Patrick C. Hines the CEO of Functional Fluidics and Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, will join this year's debate session on Wednesday, October 7, from 12:10 to 1:00 PM in the Great Hall, Central Hall Westminster. Debate: Which Emerging Class of Biomarkers Offers the Greatest Clinical Value in Sickle Cell Disease? The debate session will be moderated by Professor Baba Inusa, Professor of Paediatric Haematology at King's College London. Panelists include: - **Patrick C. Hines**, CEO, Functional Fluidics; Professor, Wayne State University School of Medicine - **David Rees**, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, King's College London - **Sara El Hoss**, Researcher, Institut Imagine - **Enrico M. Novelli**, Professor, University of Maryland The panel will weigh which emerging biomarker classes are most likely to change clinical practice in SCD, from risk prediction to monitoring treatment response and supporting drug development. "Biomarkers are changing how we predict, monitor and treat sickle cell disease, and how quickly new therapies can reach the patients who need them," said Patrick C. Hines, CEO of Functional Fluidics. "We're grateful to join this panel. Bringing different perspectives together on which tools will make the biggest difference in the clinic is exactly the conversation our field needs." Poster P09.17: De-Risking Africa for Clinical Translation: An Integrated Cross-Continental SCD Research Model Nnamdi Okeke, PharmD, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Global Operations at Functional Fluidics, will present on Thursday, October 8, from 10:30  in Westminster Gallery Area 2. This is a collaboration between Functional Fluidics, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University of Pittsburgh and Afro-REACH Research Organization. "A red blood cell begins changing the moment it leaves the vein. Ship it across an ocean, and you are no longer measuring the patient, you are measuring the journey," said Nnamdi Okeke, PharmD, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Global Operations at Functional Fluidics. "That is why we built a laboratory in Awka, Nigeria. It takes trained phlebotomy at the site, temperature control from the moment of draw, a cold chain that holds through a power outage, and documentation an auditor can follow. Four hundred children are born with sickle cell disease in Nigeria every day. If new medicines are going to reach them, the data has to come from where the patients are." Functional Fluidics invites ASCAT 2026 attendees to join the debate in the Great Hall, visit poster P09.17, and connect with the team about improving outcomes for people living with SCD.   Subscribe to our Newsletter Subscribe to our Newsletter ### ### Recommended Reads ![](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-12-01%20105529.png) Dec 1, 2025 #### [Functional Fluidics Welcomes Biopharma Leader Bert Bruce as Senior Advisor](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/functional-fluidics-welcomes-biopharma-leader-bert-bruce-as-senior-advisor) ![](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-11-30%20195918.png) Dec 1, 2025 #### [Functional Fluidics to Present New Sickle Cell Disease Data at the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/functional-fluidics-to-present-new-sickle-cell-disease-data-at-the-2025-ash-annual-meeting-in-orlando-florida) ### Contact Us   # **Our Location** 440 Burroughs Street, Suite 447, Detroit, MI 48202 United States Email: [info@functionalfluidics.com](mailto:info@functionalfluidics.com) Phone:313-315-2555 ### Subscribe to Our Newsletter - [Services](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/services) - [Assays](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/assays-2) - [RBC Test Menu](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/hubfs/Test%20Menu%20(2).pdf) - [Publications](https://www.functionalfluidics.com/publications/tag/publications) © Copyright Functional Fluidics 2016.