Roche Extends Partnership With WFH Aid Program
Roche has extended its partnership with the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) to expand access to treatments for hemophilia through the end of 2028, the company announced.
Under the partnership, Roche will continue to provide its prophylactic (preventive) treatment for hemophilia A to the WFH’s Humanitarian Aid Program. The WFH then will distribute the treatment to people in places where there is little or no access to high-quality treatments for hemophilia.
“Our renewed commitment will allow us to continue to help people with haemophilia A most in need,” Bill Anderson, Roche’s CEO, said in a press release.
“We are proud to be recognised by the WFH as a Visionary Contributor of the Program and are delighted to announce that our commitment to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program has been extended until 2028,” Anderson said.
Since the partnership was started in 2019, Roche’s donated product has helped more than 940 people across 30 countries, according to the company. Other companies also have been pitching in to the WFH’s program. For example, last month CSL Berring pledged a donation of 500 million international units of coagulation factor therapy.
Since its inception, the program has provided therapies to tens of thousands of people with hemophilia who might not be able to access such life-changing therapies otherwise.
“Last year was a record year for the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, which continues to make life-changing treatment accessible for those who need it most,” said Cesar Garrido, president of the WFH.
“With Roche’s continued support, we will be able to continue the important work that the Humanitarian Aid Program does, giving people with bleeding disorders the hope of leading a normal life through prophylactic treatment,” added Garrido.
Hemophilia A is caused by mutations that impair the body’s ability to produce a blood-clotting protein called factor VIII (FVIII).
Roche markets an antibody-based therapy called Hemlibra (emicizumab-KXWH), which works by mimicking the activity of factor VIII. Hemlibra is approved in more than 100 countries worldwide as a treatment for hemophilia A. It initially was developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical, which is now part of the Roche group.
“Thanks to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, more people with haemophilia A are able to benefit from our prophylactic treatment, originated by Chugai; providing not only sustainable care to the individual, but ultimately benefiting their societies as a whole,” said Osamu Okuda, president and CEO of Chugai.
“I am delighted that Chugai and Roche will continue to support the Program, so that we can ensure consistent access to our innovative and important prophylactic treatment through the WFH,” Okuda added.
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