Summary
The use of plasma-derived and recombinant coagulation factors for the treatment of
haemophilia A and B is well established and permits patients to live a relatively
normal life. In order to improve treatment options, several products are in development,
which have a prolonged duration of action, thus enabling less frequent prophylactic
dosing and aiming to reduce the burden of treatment. Several innovative approaches
are being pursued to extend the half-life of factor VIIa, factor VIII and factor IX,
utilising technologies such as Fc fusion, recombinant albumin fusion and addition
of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) (PEG ylation). These methods prolong the time in the circulation
by reducing degradation and elimination. This review summarises the technologies and
products in development and their stages of development, and also discusses their
pros and cons.
Keywords
Haemophilia - prolonged half-life - coagulation factors