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Frequently asked questions

If you have more questions, please call 877-RETHYMC (877-738-4962). We're available Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET.

What is RETHYMIC Connect™?

RETHYMIC Connect is a program that helps children with congenital athymia and their caregivers by providing personalized support throughout the treatment journey. The RETHYMIC Connect care team consists of a Support Liaison and an Access Specialist, who can:
  • Provide you with educational resources about congenital athymia and treatment
  • Determine insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs if you have a commercial plan, Medicare, or Medicaid
  • Insurance coverage and costs will be annually reverified
  • Identify and put you in touch with other patient assistance resources that may provide financial support
Enrolling in RETHYMIC Connect will also give you access to kits containing a document organizer, a storybook written specifically with your child in mind, activities for the whole family, and more! You will also receive informative digital newsletters and access to a webinar series.

How do patients and caregivers enroll in RETHYMIC Connect?

To begin the enrollment process for RETHYMIC Connect, you can call 877-RETHYMC (877-738-4962) or complete the enrollment form with the help of your child's healthcare provider.

Alternatively, your child's healthcare provider can fill out the enrollment form to enroll your child in RETHYMIC Connect. Follow the instructions on the form to complete it and send it back to RETHYMIC Connect.

How do you protect the personal information that is submitted on the Patient Enrollment Form?

Privacy is important to us. To effectively work with the healthcare provider’s office on issues such as verifying insurance benefits and other needs, RETHYMIC Connect will need to access some of your child’s personal health information, information about you (their parent/guardian), insurance coverage, and other confidential information. RETHYMIC Connect handles personal health information in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA, and only for the purposes stated on the Patient Enrollment Form.

Once enrolled in RETHYMIC Connect, what support and assistance programs are available to patients and caregivers?

The RETHYMIC Connect care team consists of a Support Liaison and an Access Specialist, who can:
  • Provide you with educational resources about congenital athymia and treatment
  • Determine insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs if you have a commercial plan, Medicare, or Medicaid
  • Insurance coverage and costs will be annually reverified
  • Identify and put you in touch with other patient assistance resources that may provide financial support
Enrolling in RETHYMIC Connect will also give you access to kits containing a document organizer, a storybook written specifically with your child in mind, activities for the whole family, and more! You will also receive informative digital newsletters and access to a webinar series.

Is treatment available to uninsured or underinsured patients?

An Access Specialist can connect caregivers with financial assistance programs and charitable organizations that may help uninsured or underinsured patients.

Does my income impact my child's ability to receive treatment?

No, income has no bearing on treatment decisions. The decision for treatment is made with your child's healthcare provider and the team at the treatment center.
Indication and Important Safety Information
Important Safety Information

Infection Control: Immune reconstitution sufficient to protect from infection usually develops between 6-12 months after treatment with RETHYMIC. For some children, it may take up to 2 years. Taking medications that prevent infection and other infection control measures, such as hand washing and isolation, should be continued until your child’s doctor confirms that immune function has been reconstituted through immune tests and the criteria for discontinuing certain medications have been met. Immediately report signs and symptoms of infection, such as fever, to your child’s doctor.

Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD): RETHYMIC may cause or make pre-existing GVHD worse. Your child will be monitored for GVHD and treated if needed. Symptoms of GVHD may include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, inflammation of the digestive system, and/or diarrhea.

Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune-related side effects (when your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake) occurred in patients treated with RETHYMIC. These included low platelets, white blood cells, or red blood cells; protein in the urine; hair loss; poor thyroid function; inflammation of the liver, joints, or spinal cord; loss of pigment in the skin, eyes and hair; overactive thyroid function; and loss of function of the ovaries. Your doctor will monitor your child regularly.

Kidney Disease: Children with kidney disease have a higher risk of death when treated with RETHYMIC.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection: In clinical studies, 4 out of 4 patients with CMV infection prior to treatment with RETHYMIC died.

Cancer: Due to your child’s weakened immune system, there is an increased risk of developing blood cancer. Your child’s doctor will monitor your child through testing for Epstein-Barr virus and CMV, which are two viruses that can cause cancer.

Transmission of Serious Infections and Transmissible Infectious Diseases: Because RETHYMIC is made from human tissue, and animal products are used in the manufacturing process, transmission of infectious diseases may occur.

Vaccine Administration: Notify your child’s doctor to evaluate your child’s immune status before receiving vaccinations. Live virus vaccines should not be given until the doctor determines that your child has met criteria for and received inactivated vaccines.

Anti-HLA Antibodies: Before receiving RETHYMIC, your child will be tested for HLA antibodies, which are proteins that may be present in your child’s blood. If your child has these antibodies, your child should receive RETHYMIC from a specific donor, which will be determined by your child’s doctor.

HLA Typing: If your child received a hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or a solid organ transplant, testing to match your child with RETHYMIC from a compatible donor is required. Children who have received an HCT are at an increased risk of developing GVHD after RETHYMIC if the HCT donor does not fully match with RETHYMIC.

Deaths: Of the 105 children who participated in the clinical studies, 29 patients died, including 23 in the first year after implantation of RETHYMIC.

The most common side effects are high blood pressure, cytokine release syndrome, rash, low magnesium, decrease in kidney function, low platelets, and GVHD.

These are not all the possible side effects of RETHYMIC. Talk to your child’s doctor about any side effect that bothers your child or does not go away.

You are encouraged to report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch.

Indication

RETHYMIC® is indicated for immune reconstitution in pediatric patients with congenital athymia.

RETHYMIC is not for use in patients who have been diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).

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Sumitomo Pharma icon is a trademark of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., used under license. SUMITOMO PHARMA is a trademark of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., used under license. SUMITOMO is a registered trademark of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., used under license. Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. RETHYMIC®, RETHYMIC Connect™, and its logos are registered trademarks of Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., used under license. © 2025 Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. All rights reserved. RET-US-0051-25    10/2025