MRI screening can identify subclinical joint bleeding in some patients with severe hemophilia A on preventive treatment, according to a study in the Netherlands. Subclinical bleeds occur without symptoms and usually cannot be detected by standard physical and ultrasound examinations. “These MRI findings support the hypothesis that subclinical…

A lower dose of regular, preventive therapy with factor VIII concentrates was better at reducing bleeding events and improving joint function than on-demand treatment in children with hemophilia in Thailand, a study shows. The study, “Prophylactic vs episodic treatment to prevent bleeds and preserve joint function…

An international team has joined efforts to establish guidelines for effectiveness and outcome measurements regarding gene therapies in hemophilia. The CoreHEM project will be led by researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, in collaboration with the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) in the U.S. and the Green Park…

Investigational gene therapy SB-525 is well-tolerated and leads to a dose-dependent increase in factor VIII (FVIII), according to interim results from eight patients with severe hemophilia A enrolled in the Phase 1/2 Alta clinical trial. Data showed that patients who received the highest dose of SB-525 — 3e13 vg/kg dose — reached…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh) for routine prophylaxis to prevent or lessen bleeding episodes in children and adults with hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors, Genentech announced. Hemlibra is first newly approved treatment for this patient group in almost 20 years, the…

Small vesicles in the saliva of people with severe hemophilia A may explain why these patients rarely have bleeds in their mouth and throat. The vesicles contain a protein complex that’s able to induce blood coagulation in these patients, thereby reducing bleeding. The findings may help “develop innovative approaches…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations to Sernova’s experimental and cell-based hemophilia A treatment program using the Cell Pouch System, the company’s novel medical device. Orphan drug status is awarded to therapies aiming to treat…

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…

The U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) has approved Genentech’s Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh) for routine prophylactic (preventive) treatment of patients with hemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors. Hemlibra is now the sole available prophylactic treatment for patients with hemophilia A with and without factor VIII inhibitors that can…

Pfizer has partnered with Spark Therapeutics to launch a Phase 3 program to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of its factor IX replacement gene therapy for treating hemophilia B. Replacement of factor IX (FIX), the clotting protein lacking in hemophilia B, will be done via the fidanacogene elaparvovec gene…