CSL Behring has donated more than 1 million international units (IU) of von Willebrand factor (VWF)/Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement medication to patients through the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). The donation supports WFH's progress in improving the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders in developing countries through its Global Alliance for Progress (GAP) program. It is part of the commitment CSL Behring has made to WFH to donate two million IUs of FVIII each year for three years. Today's donation is commercially valued at $1.3 million.
CSL Behring, as a member of the CSL Group, is committed to contributing to the economic, social and environmental well-being of its communities.
"CSL Behring is pleased and proud to support the World Federation of Hemophilia as a long-standing contributor to GAP," said Paul Perreault, President of CSL Behring. "WFH is committed to improving the lives of patients with bleeding disorders like von Willebrand disease (VWD) in areas of the world where the needs are greatest. Their mission aligns closely with that of CSL Behring, as we also focus on the unmet needs of patients with rare and serious bleeding disorders and constantly seek to make meaningful differences in their lives and their communities."
VWD is caused by a deficiency or abnormality of VWF, a protein in the blood that is necessary for normal blood clotting. Factor VIII replacement medication works by replacing the VWF/FVIII complex that is deficient or defective in patients with VWD. The concentrate is purified from pooled human plasma from many carefully screened plasma donors and contains the clotting proteins VWF and FVIII.
"Generous donations like these made by CSL Behring serve as a catalyst for improving the overall care of people with bleeding disorders. The WFH relies on these donations to help fulfill our commitment to introduce clotting factor concentrates in developing countries where it might not otherwise be available," said Mark Skinner, President of the WFH. "We are grateful to all our industry partners who provide, among other resources, valuable and life-saving medicine such as CSL Behring's donation for the treatment of VWD."