Lachen – A large-scale study has shown that an Octapharma drug reduces the annualized bleeding rate in von Willebrand disease (VWD) by 84 per cent. Following these results, this prophylaxis has recently been indicated for use in the U.S.

Octapharma from the canton of Schwyz, one of the world’s largest human protein manufacturers, has achieved a major step forward in regular prophylaxis received by patients with von Willebrand disease. This is according to the published results of its large-scale study, which tested the efficacy and safety of Octapharma’s wilate drug in 33 adult and pediatric VWD patients from 14 centers in eight countries.

von Willebrand disease is the world’s most common hereditary blood clotting disorder. It arises from a hereditary deficiency or abnormality in a blood protein called von Willebrand factor, which affects the function of blood platelets and therefore results in excessive bleeding. According to Octapharma, wilate enables “immediate correction” of this deficiency.

In the study, the mean total annualized bleeding rate was reduced from 33.4 with conventional treatment to 5.2 with wilate, which equates to a decrease of 84 per cent. The mean spontaneous annualized bleeding rate decreased by 87 per cent. All values were achieved across age groups, sexes and VWD disease types. Prophylaxis with wilate was also well tolerated across the board.

Following the results of the study, prophylaxis with wilate has been indicated for use in the U.S. According to Sigurd Knaub, Senior Vice President of Octapharma’s Clinical Research and Development Haematology site in Vienna, the “strong evidence for the benefits of a prophylactic strategy” will mean increased adoption among patients with severe VWD – currently only 10 per cent receive prophylaxis. ce/mm