A Phase 1/2 trial (NCT03520712) testing BioMarin Pharmaceutical’s investigational gene therapy valoctocogene roxaparvovec in severe hemophilia A patients with pre-existing AAV5 antibodies has dosed its first participant. “Administration of valoctocogene roxaparvovec to this first patient seropositive for the AAV5 capsid is an important next step in our plan to…

The rate of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) — a bleed in the brain — is higher in children and adults with hemophilia than in the general population, an Italian study suggests. ICH rates were particularly high among adults with mild disease and with high blood pressure. Most patients received only…

I’ve learned to expect the unexpected when dealing with my bleeding disorders. A few days ago, I took a bike ride with my twin nephews who were visiting from Wisconsin. My small city of Punta Gorda, Florida, has a great bike loaner program. Bicycles, tricycles, and handcycles are available…

My dad’s life was incredibly difficult. He was in pain all the time and misunderstood by others. He grunted and grumbled, and walked with an exaggerated limp. People thought he was a hypochondriac who wouldn’t stop talking about his ailments. Some found him interesting, others thought…

I’ve always had a hard time handling disappointment. I grew up labeled a high achiever and was accustomed to meeting high expectations. I feared disappointing other people, or feeling that my best efforts just weren’t enough. As a result, I became sensitive to disappointment, rejection, and failure — a fearsome…

Researchers from the PharmedOut project at Georgetown University Medical Center analyzed how pharmaceuticals market directly to people with hemophilia and found that, while strategies are effective, further regulation and studies are necessary. The study, “Direct-to-consumer Marketing to People with Hemophilia,” was published in the PLOS Medicine Policy Forum.  PharmedOut involves doctors,…