** Shares of drugmaker Agios Pharmaceuticals AGIO.O rise 8.6% to $26.70 premarket

** Company said late on Tuesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the expanded use of its drug for treatment of a type of blood disorder

** The drug, mitapivat, under brand name of Aqvesme, was being tested for the treatment of anemia in adults with alpha- or beta-thalassemia

** The inherited condition affects the body's ability to produce hemoglobin and healthy red blood cells

** Mitapivat was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2022 to treat low red blood cell counts in adults with pyruvate kinase deficiency, under the brand name of Pyrukynd

** As of last close, stock down 25.2% YTD

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)

((siddhi.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))