Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) are announcing a three-year extension of Bayer's sponsorship agreement with WFH. The agreement calls for Bayer to serve as sole sponsor of WFH's International Hemophilia Training Centre (IHTC) program, in addition to providing support for other WFH activities, such as its Web site and Congress. Established in 1969, the IHTC program gives health care professionals from developing countries training in the diagnosis and management of hemophilia and related bleeding disorders. Additionally, Bayer has made a major donation to WFH of Kogenate® FS, antihemophilic factor (recombinant), a recombinant factor VIII treatment for hemophilia A, which will be used for humanitarian aid in countries where persons with hemophilia A have limited access to care. The donated Kogenate FS is commercially valued at more than $7 million.
The IHTC program provides clinical, laboratory and paramedical training in 28 centers worldwide, located in the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Western Pacific and Europe. Most recently, a new center was designated in Russia in 2010, and plans are underway to establish a center in Egypt.
"The International Hemophilia Training Centre program is critical to furthering the treatment of hemophilia and related disorders around the world," said Claudia Black, WFH CEO. "We appreciate our long-standing partnership with Bayer, and commend the company on its commitment to the hemophilia community to help us achieve our vision of Treatment for All."
The centers provide training in all aspects of hemophilia management, with 35 fellowships awarded each year. Fellowship candidates are chosen based on their level of commitment and potential to improve hemophilia treatment in their country, after the completion of their training period. Fellowships have been awarded to hematologists, nurses, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, orthopedic surgeons and dentists. Since the program's founding, 400 fellows from 80 countries have received training. Of note, more than 70% of fellows who have received training continue their career in hemophilia care.
"More than 40 years after its founding, the IHTC program continues to improve the education of health care professionals who are dedicated to treating people with hemophilia," said Hansjoerg Duerr, Ph.D., Vice President, Specialty Medicine, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. "It is Bayer's privilege to sponsor an initiative of such great importance and also to make such a significant donation of Kogenate FS."
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