Hemlibra reduces risk of exercise-associated bleeding

Data on the physical activities of patients treated with Hemlibra and their bleeding rate published in the Int J Hematol

47 out of 74 patients aged 6 years old or older…After the treatments, patients engaged in more than 300 physical activities during the 8 days

Mean ABR of 0.91…Over 50% of the patients reported zero bleeds

JW Pharmaceutical’s hemophilia A treatment ‘Hemlibra (emicizumab)’

The research findings, which include data on the physical activities of patients treated with JW Pharmaceutical’s hemophilia A treatment ‘Hemlibra (emicizumab)’ and their safety profile, have been published in the International Journal of Hematology (Int J Hematol).

 

Hemlibra is an innovative new drug that mimics the function of blood coagulation factor VIII, which is usually deficient in patients with hemophilia.

 

It is unique in that it can be used to treat hemophilia A in both patients with antibodies and those who are resistant to existing treatments (factor VIII drugs).

 

A single subcutaneous injection of Hemlibra can yield a lasting preventive effect for up to four weeks.

 

Last May, reimbursement subjects were expanded to patients with non-antibody severe hemophilia A patients aged one or older.

 

According to the company, the research team led by Professor Keiji Nogami from the Department of Pediatrics at Nara Medical University conducted the study, which enrolled 107 patients with non-antibody severe hemophilia A with an average age of 35, from Jan.

 

2019 to May 2021.

 

The research team evaluated the relationship between patients' physical activity and measurements such as bleeding events and safety using the electronic patient reporting application 'ePRO' and wearable activity trackers following Hemlibra treatments.

 

The research findings showed that, following Hemlibra treatments, 47 out of 74 patients aged six or older engaged in various physical activities over eight days at 5 weeks, 25 weeks, 49 weeks, 73 weeks, and 97 weeks.

 

ePRO recorded 396 physical activities, while wearable activity trackers recorded 329 activities.

 

Based on the data from wearable activity trackers, walking exercise was the most common physical activity among patients, with 24 individuals (32.4%) participating.

 

This was followed by cycling with 11 patients (14.9%) and soccer with 4 patients (5.4%).

 

The range of activities patients engaged in included high-intensity exercises such as basketball, skiing, and tennis, in addition to soccer.

 

In the ePRO data, it was observed that bleeding occurred only twice during the recorded exercise sessions.

 

106 patients with Hemophilia A reported a mean annualized bleeding rates (ABR) of 0.91.

 

During the study, zero bleeds were reported in 57 patients, making 53.8% of the total.

 

“This research holds significant value as it demonstrates that patients, when treated with Hemlibra, can participate in various physical activities without requiring additional injections of factor VIII drugs before exercise.

 

We hope that Hemlibra will allow more individuals with Hemophilia A to engage in a wide range of physical activities without limitations, “ a representative from JW Pharmaceutical stated.