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July 26, 2007

Report from ISTH Congress in Geneva from July 6 – 12, 2007


Octapharma Booth

The XXIth Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, ISTH, took place from July 6 – 12, 2007 in Geneva.

With 7800 delegates from all over the world, ISTH 2007 was the largest attended and most successful to date. Only 500 registered delegates were from the industry, the others included doctors, patients with hemophilia, regulators and national hemophilia organizations.

According to feedback from participants ISTH 2007 was a tremendous success for Octapharma, and confirmed the company as the upcoming player in the field of coagulation.

Octapharma Satellite Symposia

Octapharma held two well-attended satellite symposia during the congress:

The Octanate symposium entitled “The role of VWF in preventing and treating FVIII-inhibitors – when science meets clinical experience” was chaired by Prof David  Lillicrap, Kingston, Canada. Dr Brigitte Brand, Zurich, introduced the meeting and confirmed that FVIII-inhibitors are the major safety issue in haemophilia A treatment today. Dr Sebastian Lacroix- Desmazes, Paris, presented recent findings on the beneficial role of VWF in inhibiting a FVIII-specific immune response. For these in vitro results, the low inhibitor incidence of 7.1% with Octanate in PUPs provides confirmation from prospective GCP-studies as reported by Dr Anna Klukowska, Warsaw. Dr Wolfhart Kreuz and Dr Königs, Frankfurt, presented the objectives and design of the ongoing ObsITI study.

First results of a product comparison in the thrombin generation assay derived from this study were explained by Prof Erik Berntorp, Malmö. He reported on a significantly higher potential to generate thrombin in the presence of FVIII inhibitors with Octanate when compared to the currently existing rFVIII preparations. Another highlight of the symposium was the presentation of the Octanate-ITI results achieved at the Russian centers in patients with several poor ITI-prognosis factors. Dr Zozulya, Moscow, reported on an overall partial or complete success rate of 88% in this difficult-to-treat patient cohort. Before the final discussion, Prof Lillicrap presented his own experimental data from mice studies, again documenting a reduced immunogenic response of FVIII in the presence of VWF.
Click here to find the Symposium Abstract Book

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The Wilate symposium “Shattering perceptions, setting new standards in VWD” was chaired and introduced by Prof Craig Kessler, Washington. In his presentation, he made clear that Wilate is the first and only high purity product especially designed for the treatment of VWD patients. He explained that for a balanced replacement therapy in VWD, it requires two things: a balanced VWF/FVIII 1:1 ratio, as well as a similar VWF and FVIII half-life after infusion. Kessler presented data from the first randomized cross-over PK study Wilate vs Humate confirming these requirements for Wilate but not for Humate. Wilate, as any other VWF-concentrate, must demonstrate its haemostatic function under flow rather than under static conditions.

Dr Christoph Kannicht, Octapharma Berlin, presented data that provides evidence for the superior haemostatic functions of Wilate’s VWF when compared to the lower purity first generation product Haemate/Humate. Prof Erik Berntorp, Malmö and Dr Jerzy Windyga, Warsaw, presented the safety and efficacy data of Wilate from the finalized Wilate clinical trials.
Click here to find the Symposium Abstract Book


Octapharma Presence at ISTH

Booth

Octapharma’s large water themed booth attracted a constant flow of visitors. On the booth, delegates were able to watch the new Octapharma corporate video, enjoy some quiet time over a refreshing syrup cocktail, test their knowledge in one of two quiz games, or view ten of the fourteen approved scientific posters on permanent display. The high level of scientific work reflected the innovative power of the company and impressed many of the attendees.

Young Investigator Awards

Young investigators Awards are provided in the form of travel grants to medical trainees and young scientists, and are intended to assist with expenses relating to their participation at the congress. During the welcome reception Octapharma was mentioned as sponsor of five of these awards.




© Octapharma AG, 2007