Biogen Idec's Eloctate Drug Sees Late Trial Success

Biogen Idec along with partner Swedish Orphan Biovitrum announced that their experimental blood disorder drug, Eloctate, was effective in treating children with hemophilia in a late-stage trial. Eloctate was successful at maintaining low rates of bleeding in children with hemophilia A, which is a genetic disorder where an individual’s blood does not properly clot due to low levels of the factor VIII protein. The children tested in the Biogen trial were under 12 years old and had severe versions of the disease. Biogen also announced that no inhibitors were detected or interfered with the therapy, and that the treatment was “generally well tolerated.” Overall, 93 percent of bleeding episodes were controlled by one to two infusions of Eloctate.

Glenn Pierce, SVP of Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapies at Biogen, said that the study supported that notion that Eloctate is a viable treatment option for children under the age of 12. “Prophylactic treatment is recommended for children with severe hemophilia due to its proven health benefits. However, current prophylactic infusion schedules are challenging for many children with hemophilia A and their parents,” said Pierce. “The results of this study support the potential for Eloctate to address a significant need for children with hemophilia A by providing prolonged intervals between scheduled prophylactic infusions to protect against bleeding episodes.”

Birgitte Volck, CMO of Sobi, called the study an important step. “Sobi and Biogen Idec recognize the importance of advancing treatment options for adults and children with hemophilia,” said Volck. “The successful completion of the Kids A-LONG study in children under 12 years old is an important step to bringing this potential new treatment option to adults and children with hemophilia A and a milestone that will enable regulatory submission in Europe.”