News

Clinical trials of Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh) continue to show significant reductions in bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A with inhibitors, Genentech recently announced. Data from Hemlibra’s clinical development program were presented at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The results show that in hemophilia A patients with inhibitors…

This week marks the launch of the “7,000 Mile Rare Movement,” a nationwide effort to raise money for research into the 7,000 known rare diseases that afflict at least 30 million Americans. The campaign kicks off Feb. 1 and culminates with Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. Organized by…

Europe’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion supporting the approval of Hemlibra (emicizumab) for routine prophylaxis of bleeding episodes in hemophilia A patients with factor VIII inhibitors. Hemlibra is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to activated factor IX and factor X to…

New research shows that bilateral total knee arthroplasty — or reconstruction of the joint — is a safe and cost-effective treatment for patients with hemophilic arthropathy (a hemophilia degenerative joint disease). The study, titled “Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in patients…

A major complication in scientists’ efforts to treat hemophilia A by replacing a missing or defective clotting factor is an immune response to the treatment. Researchers have discovered a connection between the body’s production of pro-inflammatory molecules known as cytokines and its immune response to clotting factor VIII therapy. They used…

Researchers report that hemophilia interferes with patients’ sexual activity and is linked to worse health status. The study titled “Sexual Health in Patients with Hemophilia; The Insights from the Patient Reported Outcomes, Burdens and Experiences (PROBE) Study,” appeared in the journal Blood. Previous results from a small…

Researchers have found  that N8-GP (turoctocog alfa pegol) treatment improved the quality of life and satisfaction of children with severe hemophilia A. The study titled “Health-Related Quality of Life and Satisfaction of Children with Severe Hemophilia a Treated with Turoctocog Alfa Pegol (N8-GP),” appeared in the journal Blood.

Shire recently received marketing authorization from the European Commission for Adynovi [antihemophilic factor (recombinant) PEGylated], enabling access for adults and adolescents throughout Europe seeking treatment for hemophilia A. Adynovi is an extended half-life recombinant factor VIII for on-demand and prophylactic (preventive) use in patients 12 years and…

Gene therapy company uniQure released new data showing that its lead therapy AMT-060 for severe and moderately severe hemophilia B is safe and effective for up to two years, with adults requiring fewer doses of replacement therapy and showing a marked decrease in the spontaneous bleeding rate. The results support uniQure’s clinical…

Among its corporate goals for 2018 announced recently, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals said it will continue to clinically develop the investigational RNA therapy fitusiran to treat hemophilia. Fitusiran, also known as ALN-AT3SC, is an RNAi therapeutic agent that targets a protein called antithrombin — which inhibits blood clotting — while increasing production of the…