BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On World
Hemophilia Day April 17th, the global
bleeding disorders community unites to raise awareness and
understanding of hemophilia and areas of unmet needs for patients.
Hemophilia is a rare, genetic bleeding disorder in which the
ability of a person's blood to clot is impaired, which can lead to
bleeding episodes that can cause pain, irreversible joint damage,
and life-threatening hemorrhages. Hemophilia most often occurs in
boys, and there is currently no cure.
Hemophilia: A Global Public Health Challenge
The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) estimates that there
are approximately 400,000 people living with hemophilia worldwide,
with an estimated 75% having limited or no access to treatment,
particularly in the developing world. People with severe hemophilia
in these countries often don't survive to adulthood due to lack of
treatment i.
A Compelling Vision to Make the Impossible
Possible
Sanofi Genzyme, together with its collaboration partner Sobi,
continues to support the 2014 pledge to donate up to one billion
international units (IUs) of clotting factor in the developing
world for up to 10 years, including up to 500 million IUs to the
WFH Humanitarian Aid Program over a period of five years, with an
aim to significantly transform the way hemophilia care is delivered
in these countries.
"The impact of this
unprecedented donation is life-changing, and reflects our steadfast
commitment to the global hemophilia community," said
Mouhamed Gueye, PharmD, MBA, Head of
Global Medical Affairs, Rare Blood Disorders, Sanofi Genzyme.
"Sanofi Genzyme is founded on the belief that it is our
responsibility to help address the treatment gap that exists in the
developing world and that innovative therapies are only beneficial
if we can deliver them globally to the patients who need
them."
Donations to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program began in 2015 and
the impact has been far-reaching. Over 362 million IUs of clotting
factor have been donated to date, providing treatment to over
16,800 patients in 40 countries. In just over three years, more
than 117,000 acute bleeds have been treated and nearly 2,000
surgeries have been performed as a result of the donated
product.
"Thanks to the visionary
leadership of Sanofi Genzyme and Sobi, we are now able to provide a
sustainable, predictable supply of factor therapy, which has
drastically shifted how patients are treated in developing
countries," explained Assad
Haffar, WFH Director of Humanitarian Aid. "Not only are
doctors able to perform life-saving surgeries and treat acute
bleeds, they can rely on these donations to treat new patients and
conduct outreach programs with more confidence. This has made a
tremendous difference for thousands of people in the global
hemophilia community."
This donation has greatly expanded the WFH Humanitarian Aid
Program and treaters now have the peace of mind to provide
treatment today and plan for tomorrow, knowing they will still have
access to factor therapy in the future.
"Today, and every day, we are
standing with the community to elevate awareness of
hemophilia," said Dr. Gueye. "We are proud of our legacy in
and commitment to the global rare blood disorders community and
will not stop our efforts until all people living with hemophilia
have access to quality treatment and care, regardless of where they
live."
Sanofi Genzyme will celebrate World Hemophilia Day with
members of the hemophilia community, who will participate in the
company-sponsored Project Gratitude program across the United States. The goal of this program is
to encourage members to take a moment to share what they are
grateful for, such as; community, scientific innovation, and
family. The company will also show its support by collaborating
with U.S. advocacy groups on the WFH's Light It Up
Red campaign by illuminating public landmarks across the
country, including Boston's Zakim
Bridge and South Station, the Wrigley Building in Chicago, the Wells Fargo/Duke Energy Building
in Charlotte, the US Bank Tower in Los
Angeles, and the Richmond Science Museum in Richmond.
To learn more about Sanofi Genzyme's commitment to rare bleeding
disorders, visit sanofigenzyme.com. To learn more about hemophilia
and how to support the global hemophilia community,
visit www.wfh.org.
l About Bleeding Disorders. The World Federation
of Hemophilia. https://www.wfh.org/en/page.aspx?pid=642, accessed
on April 11, 2019
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SOURCE Sanofi