Hemophilia B tx, Benefix, took the lead with weekly therapy

Addition of indications for routine preventive therapy once a week, increase compliance

There is no difference in capacity from the existing one

Pfizer Korea's Benefix (nonacog alfa)', which has been used for the treatment of hemophilia B patients in Korea for 15 years, has taken the lead as a once-a-week prophylaxis.

 

The strategy for treating hemophilia has now become routine prophylactic therapy.

 

The World Federation of Hemophilia recommended prophylaxis as standard treatment in its guidelines revised last year.

 

In the past, the concept of prophylaxis was also aimed at preventing simple bleeding, but now, the goal is to lead a similar life to the general public and achieve a quality of life.

 

In February, Benefix added an indication of daily prophylaxis with a weekly dosage.

 

What was previously administered 2-3 times a week can now be administered only once a week.

 

As a result of clinical studies, once-a-week prophylaxis reduced the annual bleeding rate to 94% compared to supplementary therapy.

 

There was no significant difference in the annual bleeding incidence between the once-weekly prophylaxis and the twice-weekly prophylaxis.

 

A similar effect can be obtained by administering Benefix 100IU/kg once a week instead of Benefix 50IU/kg twice a week.

 

From the patient's point of view, fewer visits to the hospital can increase compliance and lower the risk of infection.

 

In particular, once a week prophylaxis is most recommended for children under 6 years of age, where it is difficult to secure medical staff through intravenous infusion.

 

In celebration of 'World Hemophilia Day (April 17)', Pfizer Korea held an online press conference on the 15th of 'The Present and Future of Hemophilia Type B Treatment Through Benefix' once-a-week prophylaxis.

 

At the meeting, Professor Eun-jin Choi of Catholic University of Daegu Hospital said, "About half of patients with hemophilia B in Catholic University of Daegu Hospital are receiving Benefix once a week." Pfizer Korea's 'Benefix (nonacog alfa)', which has been used for the treatment of hemophilia B patients in Korea for 15 years, has taken the lead as a once-a-week prophylaxis.

 

With the new indication, Benefix will be able to extend the range of half-life extension formulations.

 

Benefix is ​​a factor 9 standard half-life treatment.

 

With the release of a half-life extension formulation, the relatively large number of doses is a disadvantage.

 

For example, the half-life extension drug Alprolix 50IU/kg is administered once a week, and Alprolix 100IU/kg is administered once every two weeks, which is less frequent than Benefix twice a week.

 

Benefix also expanded its area as weekly therapy became possible and occupied the first place in the hemophilia B market.

 

Professor Choi said, "With the development of half-life extension drugs, drugs that fit once every two weeks and once every three weeks are emerging, depending on the patient's lifestyle.

 

In some cases, the peak level is considered more important than the lowest coagulation factor activity level." If a patient wants to exercise such as soccer, he needs more than a certain percentage of the coagulation factor that the patient has, but if a patient has a peak level and shows low activity for 2 to 3 weeks (half-life extension drugs), it may not be suitable for that patient." She explained.

 

There is no difference in the total dose for the twice-weekly or once-weekly therapy.

 

Professor Choi said, "The current benefit is recognized as 30~40 IU, and if there is joint bleeding, it is possible up to 50 IU twice a week.

 

Since there is no case written, 100 IU once a week is expected to be sufficient.”