Regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Europe are reviewing applications seeking the approval of fidanacogene elaparvovec, an experimental one-time gene therapy being developed by Pfizer for the treatment of hemophilia B in adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expects to complete the review process and…

When dealing with health issues, does when you were born matter? For those living with hemophilia, the answer is a resounding yes. Having personally experienced the challenges of living with bleeding disorders and survived multiple life-threatening situations, I can’t help but reflect on how different my medical journey might…

One fall evening in 1998, I looked around my dining room table in Houston and saw the faces of men and women who’d become some of my dearest friends over the past year. Laughter flooded the room as we stood in awe at what we’d accomplished. I stood, raised a…

A first adult with hemophilia B in the U.S. has been treated with commercially available Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec), a recently approved and first gene therapy for the disease, CSL Behring announced. “As part of our longtime promise to patients, CSL Behring is thrilled to mark this latest milestone…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review Medexus Pharmaceuticals’ request to approve Ixinity (trenonacog alfa) for children with hemophilia B younger than 12. Ixinity is already approved by the FDA for adults and adolescents 12 and older. The therapy is indicated for use…

I rarely disclose my diagnosis of hemophilia B and von Willebrand disease to others. I don’t like to speak about it, which is odd for someone who writes a column on the topic. Writing is different, though. I hope it will make a difference. By sharing…

Electrically stimulating the vagus nerve — the main set of nerve fibers that control involuntary bodily functions — significantly reduced blood loss and sped up clot formation after injury in a mouse model of hemophilia A, according to a recent study. Controlling bleeding by stimulating the vagus nerve was…

My husband, Jared, is an avid eater. He’s especially fond of meaty dishes like pizza, barbecue, and steaks. He’d never pass up the chance to try a new restaurant, unique meal, or a different country’s cuisine. (No wonder he also loves to experiment in the kitchen!) There’s just one…

Weekly treatment with the experimental therapy marstacimab (PF-06741086) was found to significantly reduce bleed rates for adult and adolescent hemophilia A and B patients without inhibitors relative to standard therapies. In so doing, it met the main goal of the pivotal Phase 3 BASIS clinical trial, designed to…

The power of music cannot be underestimated. Its universality has the ability to connect people across places and cultures. Many people also find music healing. They can find solace in lyrics and melodies that evoke pleasant emotions or that mirror their emotional states. Why does this happen? Music activates particular…