Hemophilia B is the second most common type of hemophilia,and results from an insufficient amount of clotting factor IX, a naturallyoccurring protein found in blood that helps to control bleeding. The conditionappears in about one in 25,000 males, and approximately 4,000 people in theUnited States are currently diagnosed with hemophilia B. The disease is oftendebilitating and chronic, with complications such as bleeding episodes,hemophilic arthropathy (bleeding into a joint) and hospitalization.
The collaboration with Chatham Therapeutics is one ofseveral avenues of research for Baxter in terms of hemophilia, as the companyis also conducting a Phase I/III clinical trial for its own drug candidate,BAX326. BAX326 is a recombinant Factor IX being tested as a potential treatmentfor hemophilia B, and Baxter expects to file for U.S. approval of the compoundby the end of this year.
In addition, Baxter announced on May 16 that is hadsuccessfully gained approval for ADVATE (Recombinant Human Coagulation FactorVIII for injection) for the control and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes inhemophilia A patients in China by the State Food and Drug Administration.Current estimates place the number of people in China stricken with hemophiliaA at more than 50,000. Baxter has an ongoing presence in the Chinese hemophiliacommunity, having worked with the Ministry of Health in 2010 to set up a"Hemophilia Disease Management System," the first nationwide patientregistration and management system in China that also integrated diagnosis andtreatment information.
SOURCE: Baxter press release