The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to efanesoctocog alfa, an investigational factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy for treating hemophilia A, Sanofi, one of the therapy’s developers, announced in a press release. This designation is given to accelerate the development and review of medications…

My youngest son, Caeleb, is completing his junior year of high school. He’s excited about his senior year and his plans for getting in shape. But there’s something else he’s even more enthusiastic about. Caeleb is beginning to think about life after high school. It may seem late for…

Patrice Thomas has utilized her skills as a women’s healthcare advocate to learn about marginalized communities and support structural change. Through her current position at the Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan (HFM), Patrice is bringing together women with hemophilia and healthcare providers to educate and break down barriers…

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…

I recently noticed that our healthcare providers offer virtual visits as part of our current insurance. I was fortunate last week to attend an event hosted by the Virginia Quality Healthcare Network. The presentation featured a talk on telehealth by Dr. Karen Rheuban, co-founder and director of…

Navigating life with hemophilia in the Philippines presents unique and daunting challenges. The financial burden of treatment is one of the most significant hurdles hemophiliacs face. A 1,000-unit vial of factor IX costs up to 22,000 Philippine pesos (about $377), yet the minimum monthly wage is…

Interim results from the Phase 3 ASPIRE study indicate that patients with hemophilia A showed continuous improvement in joint health for nearly three years while receiving prophylactic dosing of Bioverativ and Sobi’s Eloctate. The interim results were reported in a study titled, “Improved joint health in subjects with severe haemophilia A…

January is my three-year “clotaversary,” a holiday I celebrate every year after surviving a life-threatening situation during a major surgery. I have von Willebrand disease (VWD) and hemophilia B, and without treatment, I’m at risk for dangerous bleeds during surgical procedures. In 2019, I needed a radical…

Irony manifests in diverse forms, but cosmic irony captivates me the most. This literary device suggests that the universe possesses a sense of humor, purposefully orchestrating situations contrary to expected outcomes. This often results in both amusement and reflection. One popular example of cosmic irony happens in the movie…