Bispecific antibodies mimicking factor VIII in hemophilia A: converting innovation to an essential medicine

Cedric Hermans; Glenn F Pierce

doi:10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100173

Bispecific antibodies mimicking factor VIII in hemophilia A: converting innovation to an essential medicine

Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2023 May 10;7(4):100173. doi: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100173. eCollection 2023 May.

Authors

Cedric Hermans^{1

2}, Glenn F Pierce²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Haematology, Haemostasis and Thrombosis Unit, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
² World Federation of Haemophilia, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Abstract

Preventive subcutaneous treatment of severe hemophilia A with bispecific antibodies that mimic the action of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) is emerging as an effective alternative to replacement therapy with intravenous administration of FVIII concentrates, either derived from plasma or produced by biotechnology. Access to this innovative therapeutic approach for a growing number of patients worldwide increasingly appears to be a priority public health strategy. Inclusion of FVIII mimetic bispecific antibodies on the World Health Organization essential medicines list would contribute to health equity in lower-income countries.

Keywords: World Health Organization (WHO); bispecific antibody; essential medicine; factor VIII; hemophilia A; innovation.

Publication types

Review