Octapharma Supports VWD Educational Initiatives Launched at National Hemophilia Foundation Annual Meeting

HOBOKEN, N.J., Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Octapharma USA is proud to support educational initiatives for von Willebrand Disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder, at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) scheduled for Nov. 11-13 in New Orleans. In addition to supporting several educational symposia discussing VWD, Octapharma will also provide poster presentations that will assist in increasing awareness of current research for the treatment of bleeding disorders.

Octapharma USA is an affiliate of Octapharma AG, one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Octapharma orphan drug exclusivity for wilate® (von Willebrand Factor/Factor VIII Concentrate, Human), the first replacement therapy developed specifically for von Willebrand Disease (VWD). In addition to wilate®, Octapharma hopes to capitalize on its long experience in developing products for treatment of other types of coagulation disorders.

Already in clinical trials in the U.S., Octapharma is studying a human cell line derived recombinant factor VIII that may be a very promising future treatment option for patients with Hemophilia A.  "It is hoped that data gleaned from Octapharma's current and future coagulation research will allow for better and more precise treatment decisions for patients with severe and potentially life-threatening coagulopathies," said Octapharma USA President Flemming Nielsen.

Octapharma USA, a Platinum Sponsor of the NHF Annual Meeting, will support a panel discussion entitled "Straight Talk About Intimacy for Women with Bleeding Disorders" and a networking reception for women with bleeding disorders. The biopharmaceutical company will also support a symposium entitled "Babies, Bruises and Bleeds: von Willebrand Disease 101."

Promoting a scientific dialogue regarding recent research findings, the Octapharma USA poster presentations at NHF are entitled:

• The Development of the First Recombinant FVIII from a Human Cell – Functional Properties and Differences from Currently Available Recombinant Factor VIII Products;
• Results of a Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Study Investigating the Pharmacokinetic (PK) Properties of VWF/FVIII Concentrates in Subjects with Inherited von Willebrand Disease (VWD); and
• Clinical Efficacy of VWF/FVIII Replacement Therapy Utilizing Subjective vs. Objective Criteria – Improved Accuracy and Comparability of Results in Clinical Trials.  

About the Octapharma Group

Headquartered in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma AG is one of the largest human protein products manufacturers in the world and has been committed to patient care and medical innovation for over 27 years. Octapharma's core business is the development, production and sale of high quality human protein therapies from both human plasma and human cell-lines, including immune globulin intravenous (IGIV). In the U.S., Octapharma's IGIV product, octagam®  (immune globulin intravenous [human] 5%), is used to treat disorders of the immune system, and Octapharma's Albumin (Human)® is indicated for the restoration and maintenance of circulating blood volume. Octapharma's wilate® received orphan drug exclusivity from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Octapharma employs over 4,000 people and has biopharmaceutical experience in 80 countries worldwide, including the United States, where Octapharma USA is located in Hoboken, N.J.  Octapharma operates two state-of-the-art production sites licensed by the FDA, providing a high level of production flexibility. For more information, please visit www.octapharma.com.

SOURCE Octapharma USA