Emmaus Life Sciences, Inc. (OTCQX: EMMA), a California-based company involved in sickle cell disease (SCD) treatment, announced on Friday that it has received marketing authorisation from the Puerto Rico Department of Health for Endari (L-glutamine oral powder).

The company says that the approval represents a significant milestone in the company's mission to improve the lives of people with SCD around the world and provides access to this therapy for the patients living with SCD in Puerto Rico. The product is also approved in the United States, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

Endari is the first FDA-approved oral glutamine therapy for the reduction of acute complications of SCD in adult and paediatric patients five years and older. Clinical studies have indicated that the product can significantly reduce the frequency of pain crises, hospitalisations and other acute complications of SCD.