France is now the largest shareholder of GTC Biotherapeutics Inc, a Framingham, Mass firm. Through state-owned Laboratoire Francais du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies SA (LFB), France has entered into some collaborations of great interest to the hemophilia community. From Bioworld International:
"The first program in the collaboration is development of a transgenically produced recombinant form of human factor VII a (rhFVIIa), a clotting factor for the X-linked (male) genetic disorder that will treat Type A hemophilia and may treat Type B with potential secondary uses for trauma and uncontrolled bleeding."
"LFB and GTC said they intend to become the low-cost producer of rhFVIIa, noting that the current product on the market, NovoSeven, from Bagsvaerd, Denmark-based Novo Nordisk A/S, is high in price yet enjoys strong market growth. Sales doubled from $400 million in 2000 to $800 million in 2005, and the estimate is for $2 billion in 2012, Pennacino said."
A lower-cost alternative to NovoSeven would be welcome news to inhibitor patients facing lifetime cap issues.
Accused in tainted blood trial exonerated
Here's a story I was not aware of until recently. It concerns some old players in the tainted blood/factor supply saga from the 1980's. Canada charged several doctors, the Canadian Red Cross and Armour Pharmaceutical Co. with criminal negligence and endangering the public for allegedly allowing Armour's factor tainted with HIV and Hepatitis C to be given to hemophilia patients. I haven't read enough or know enough of the facts to form an opinion in this case. But it's still a reminder of the vigilance necessary so that this never happens again.
This a more personal look at this story:
Promise of almost normal life destroyed by tainted blood, hemophiliacs say
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