Thursday, February 17, 2011

CSL Behring Marks World Hemophilia Day with Coagulation Factor Donation to World Federation of Hemophilia

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. and MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2011 /CNW/ -- As a means of aiding the World Federation of Hemophilia's (WFH) progress in improving the diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia in developing countries through its Global Alliance for Progress (GAP) program, CSL Behring has committed to donating more factor VIII concentrate (FVIII) to WFH. The donated product will be used in South America, Thailand, thePhilippines, parts of eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East, and in Tunisia. The donation, the total market value of which is approximately $500,000, will be made using coagulation factor concentrate with a minimum shelf-life of one year.
CSL Behring has pledged to support the WFH with separate financial contributions totaling nearly $1 million over a period of three years. This most recent donation is part of that commitment.
"As a long-standing contributor to GAP, CSL Behring is pleased to once again be in a position to assist hemophilia patients who have a critical need for safe, effective medical therapies," said Peter Turner, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSL Behring. "We are also gratified to be a partner with WFH in this effort, an organization that continues to make a large and positive difference in the world. Our commitment to their progress remains strong."
"The WFH relies on product donations to help introduce clotting factor concentrates in developing countries and these donations serve as a catalyst for improving care," said Claudia Black, Chief Executive Officer of the WFH. "We are grateful to our industry partners such as CSL Behring, who provide, among other resources, valuable and life-saving medicine, including this most recent donation of coagulation factor. "
Factor VIII is an essential blood clotting factor that can be given to hemophiliacs to restore hemostasis.