Octapharma launches bleeding disorder treatment

HOBOKEN, N.J. A drug for treating the bleeding disorder von Willebrand disease has become available, manufacturer Octapharma USA said Thursday.

Octapharma announced the launch of Wilate (von Willebrand factor and coagulation factor VIII complex [human]), approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating spontaneous or trauma-induced bleeding episodes in patients with severe VWD, as well as mild or moderate forms of the illness.

“Wilate is an innovative treatment option for patients with von Willebrand disease that offers a high-purity [von Willebrand factor-factor VIII] complex with a physiologic ration of FVIII and VWF, double virus inactivation, convenient dosing and clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability proven in adult and pediatric populations,” Octapharma USA president Flemming Nielsen said.