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New treatment options with factor VII
Factor VII is a key molecule in the initiation of the coagulation cascade leading to blood clotting. By binding to tissue factor, it can activate coagulation factor X, allowing the treatment of patients lacking factor VIII or IX. Factor VII can thus be used in the treatment of patients suffering from factor VII deficiency (haemophilia A), factor IX deficiency (haemophilia B) and for a subgroup of patients with inhibitors towards factor VIII or IX.
The company Novo Nordisk developed a recombinant factor VII, produced in Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells. Production in this cell line ensures correct addition of the carbohydrate chains in this crucial glycoprotein. The recombinant factor VII has been shown to be clinically effective in 87 percent of the inhibitor patients (haemophiliacs with inhibitors towards factor VIII or IX, respectively). For this group of patients, factor VII is the first recombinant treatment available.