Novo Nordisk applies for approval of haemophilia A drug

Novo Nordisk has submitted applications to European and US regulators for a new treatment for haemophilia A.

The compound, turoctocog alfa, is a third-generation recombinant coagulation factor VIII therapy intended for prevention and treatment of bleeding among haemophilia patients, with data from the Guardian 1 and Guardian 3 trials having confirmed its efficacy.

It utilises advanced protein and purification technology to improve its reliability, safety and portability compared to other treatments for this condition, making it a potential step forward for patients.

Further regulatory filings will be submitted by Novo Nordisk in additional countries in the coming months.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice-president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk, said: "Turoctocog alfa represents a new treatment alternative for people with haemophilia A and is one of the first important outcomes of the haemophilia research strategy we embarked upon in 2006."

Last month, the company was named the fourth top science employer in the world in a survey carried out by Science magazine.