Indeed plasma VWF:Ag and VWF propeptide (VWFpp) levels have both been proposed as useful biomarkers that correlate with severity and/or clinical outcomes in a number of different disease settings, including COVID-19, cerebral malaria, sickle cell disease, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and a variety of different cancers9,18–21. The gene discussed is VWF; the disease is cerebral malaria.