Haemophilia A News and Research

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Hemophilia A is an X-linked, recessive, bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in the activity of coagulation factor VIII. Affected individuals develop a variable phenotype of hemorrhage into joints and muscles, easy bruising, and prolonged bleeding from wounds. The disorder is caused by heterogeneous mutations in the factor VIII gene which maps to Xq28.

An improved gene therapy agent from University of Florida

Replacing one amino acid on the surface of a virus that shepherds corrective genes into cells could be the breakthrough scientists have needed to make gene therapy a more viable option for treating genetic diseases such as hemophilia, University of Florida researchers say.

19 May 2008

Discovery of gene mutation which causes epilepsy and mental retardation - but only in women

An Australian and British research team have discovered a gene mutation that causes epilepsy and mental retardation but only in women.

12 May 2008

FDA approves new formulation of genetically engineered version of Factor VIIa plasma protein

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new formulation of the genetically engineered version of Factor VIIa, a plasma protein essential for the clotting of blood. The new formulation allows the product to be stored at room temperature (up to 81 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to two years.

9 May 2008

Skin flaps deliver cancer-fighting therapy

Using gene therapy, plastic surgeons have delivered cancer fighting proteins through skin flaps placed on cancerous tumors on rats with a 79 percent reduction in tumor volume, according to a study in the May issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

8 May 2008

Baxter International, Inc. wins patent infringement case

Baxter International, Inc. has won a long-running battle in a patent infringement suit ( Fresenius USA, Inc. et al v. Baxter International Inc. et al. ) against Fresenius Medical Care involving Fresenius ' Number One - selling hemodialysis machine in the United States.

From Baxter International Inc. 7 Apr 2008

Improved method for genetically manipulating human embryonic stem cells

UC Irvine researchers have discovered a dramatically improved method for genetically manipulating human embryonic stem cells, making it easier for scientists to study and potentially treat thousands of disorders ranging from Huntington's disease to muscular dystrophy and diabetes.

10 Mar 2008

Guidelines for von Willebrand disease diagnosis and management

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health today issued the first clinical guidelines in the United States for the diagnosis and management of von Willebrand Disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder.

4 Mar 2008

New guidelines for von Willebrand disease

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, has issued the first clinical guidelines in the United States for the diagnosis and management of von Willebrand Disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder.

1 Mar 2008

XYNTHA approved for teatment of hemophilia A by FDA

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth ( NYSE:WYE) , announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for XYNTHA(TM) (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Plasma/Albumin-Free), a recombinant factor VIII product, for patients with hemophilia A for both the control and prevention of bleeding episodes and surgical prophylaxis.

22 Feb 2008

Transplanted cells can cure hemophilia

Scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have shown for the first time that transplanted cells can cure hemophilia A (the most common form of the disease) in an animal model.

18 Feb 2008

Baxter to develop recombinant Factor IX proteins to treat hemophilia B

Baxter International Inc. has announced that it has initiated pre-clinical programs to develop recombinant Factor IX proteins to treat hemophilia B.

From Baxter International Inc. 7 Jan 2008

High-risk individuals less likely to follow through on HIV testing plans

One-fourth of individuals at high risk for contracting HIV report planning to be tested for the virus in the next year, but fewer appear to follow through on that intention than individuals who are at lower risk, according to a report in the October 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

22 Oct 2007

FDA approves change in storage conditions for Humate-P

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a change in the storage conditions for Humate-P, a treatment for bleeding in certain patients with hemophilia A or von Willebrand Disease (vWD).

22 Oct 2007

Irish Government launches program to provide life insurance to people with HIV, Hep C through contaminated blood products

The Irish government on Thursday launched a program to provide life insurance, mortgage protection and travel insurance to people who contracted HIV or hepatitis C through contaminated blood products, Ireland's Evening Echo reports (Evening Echo, 9/27).

2 Oct 2007

Judge acquits Canadian doctors, U.S. drug company in tainted blood case

A Canadian judge on Monday acquitted New Jersey-based Armour Pharmaceutical Company and four Canadian doctors -- including the former medical director of the Canadian Red Cross and two government officials -- of charges related to blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C, the New York Times reports (Austen, New York Times, 10/2).

2 Oct 2007

Prophylaxis effective at preventing joint bleeds and preserving joint function and structure in young boys with hemophilia A

According to a new landmark study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, infusions of clotting factor VIII used preventively can significantly reduce the risk of developing joint damage associated with joint bleeding in young children with hemophilia A.

9 Aug 2007

Xenomics issued European patent for Transrenal Nucleic Acid Technology for Prenatal Diagnostics

Xenomics, Inc. has announced the issuance of its first European patent "Methods for detection of nucleic acid sequences in urine", EP 1634966 A2 that covers use of its proprietary transrenal nucleic acid technology in the area of prenatal diagnostics and genetic testing.

1 Aug 2007

Baxter receives FDA approval for new dosage of Advate for hemophilia A

Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new 3000 IU (5mL) dosage strength of ADVATE [Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Plasma/Albumin-Free Method].

12 Jul 2007

Baxter presents findings from the ADAPT study

Baxter Healthcare Corporation has announced the presentation of findings from the ADAPT (Analysis of Data from ADVATE Prospective Trials) study program database showing a statistically significant relationship between the duration of time spent with factor VIII blood levels below one international unit per deciliter (1 IU/dL, one percent of normal factor VIII level) and an increase in the annual bleed rate in people with hemophilia A.

11 Jul 2007

New platform for regulating the expression of therapeutic genes

A new platform for regulating the expression of therapeutic genes, which will have major implications for gene and cell therapy, was presented at the 10th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene Therapy (ASGT) in Seattle.

3 Jun 2007