Bayer HealthCare Reports Positive Preclinical Study Results on Longer-Acting Recombinant Factor VIII Molecules
7/12/2007
PEGylated Forms of Recombinant Factor VIII Show Extended Time of Activity
Geneva, Switzerland (July 12, 2007) – New preclinical data presented at the 21st Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in Geneva, Switzerland, demonstrate that PEGylated forms of recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) prolong bleeding protection. The studies, conducted by Bayer HealthCare, investigated rFVIII molecule variants in animal models and demonstrated prolonged control of bleeding.
"Developing
a longer-acting FVIII product is high on Bayer’s priority list, and the
positive findings from our preclinical studies presented this week
represent a major step forward," said Glenn Pierce, MD, PhD, Vice
President, Applied Research and U.S Medical Affairs,
Hematology/Cardiology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. “We as a
company are committed to innovative research and development of
next-generation therapies that produce significant patient benefits. FVIII
therapy with prolonged activity could greatly improve patient outcomes
through increased ease of compliance and greater access to higher
treatment standards at a lower total cost of treatment in the long run.” The primary approach for prolonging activity involves site-specific PEGylation2 of a variant of the human FVIII molecule. By
adjusting the number and size of PEGylation attachments, as well as the
sites of attachment to the FVIII molecule, Bayer scientists have
demonstrated an increase in the duration of activity of the PEGylated
FVIII molecules in animal models. The PEGylated molecules are also able
to retain activity in the presence of specific inhibitors.
