Bayer HealthCare extends factor VIII distribution agreement

Bayer HealthCare has announced that it has extended its agreement with CSL Behring for the distribution of Bayer’s recombinant factor VIII Kogenate, which trades under the Helixate name.

The global distribution agreement has been extended through to 2017, with Bayer receiving a licence for the intellectual property rights connected to the formulation of the pharmaceutical.

Kogenate is a reombinate factor VIII treatment recommended for the treatment of patients with haemophilia A. The Kogenate molecule is a recombinant protein that acts in a similar manner to naturally occurring factor VIII for the halting or prevention of bleeding.

The product is formulated with sucrose as a stabiliser in preference to human albumin to reduce the risk of virus exposure.

Dr Gunnar Riemann, a board member of Bayer HealthCare, said: “We strongly believe that this agreement can further develop our factor VIII franchise and that the new deal terms are attractive for both companies.

“It also solves all outstanding litigations.”

He added that the long-standing partnership agreement had resulted in widespread distribution of its Kogenate and Helixate products, with over six billion units infused to patients over nearly 20 years.

In May 2006, Bayer reported that data from early stage clinical trials showed “promising” results for its longer-acting BAY 79-4980 factor VIII replacement pharmaceutical.