Head-on comparative studies of factor IX (FIX) concentrates performed under standardized conditions are rarely conducted regardless of being a valuable instrument guiding health care providers towards better informed and cost-effective decisions. This study is an extension of a multicentre study that assessed the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of AlphaNine(®) in 25 previously treated patients with severe haemophilia B (FIX:C ≤ 2%). After a washout period ≥ 7 days following the last PK performed with AlphaNine(®) after a dose of 65-75 IU kg(-1) , an identical PK study was performed with BeneFIX(®) on 22 of the same patients. Venous blood samples for analysis were taken at baseline and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, 48, 72 and 74 h post infusion. The outcomes of the comparison of the PK parameters were as follows: Mean (± SD) in vivo recovery (IVR) was 1.3 ± 0.4 IU dL(-1) per IU kg(-1) for AlphaNine(®) and 1.0 ± 0.3 IU dL(-1) per IU kg(-1) for BeneFIX(®) (P < 0.01). Mean terminal half-life, mean residence time, area under the curve, clearance and volume of distribution of BeneFIX(®) were 36.0 ± 12.8 h, 39.3 ± 13.9 h, 1631 ± 467 IU h dL(-1) , 0.046 ± 0.01 dL kg(-1) min(-1) and 1.75 ± 0.52 mL kg(-1) respectively. These values were not significantly different to those observed in AlphaNine(®), although BeneFIX(®) displayed higher than expected IVR values and lower than expected clearance values. In conclusion, AlphaNine(®) showed a comparable half-life, but an IVR significantly higher than that of BeneFIX(®). This dissimilarity may have implications on dosing requirements for on-demand treatment regimes affecting optimal resource allocation.

Effective treatment with factor IX (FIX) requires a thorough consideration of the properties of the concentrate to be used as replacement therapy, to date, the only available treatment for haemophilia B. The aim of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and safety in routine clinical use of AlphaNine(®) , a high-purity human FIX concentrate. This open, single-arm, multicentre, non-randomized trial included 25 subjects (age ≥ 12) with moderate/severe haemophilia B. Pharmacokinetics was assessed at baseline and after a 6-month follow-up. The degree of haemostasis control achieved was evaluated during a 12-month follow-up. Safety was evaluated in terms of tolerance, thrombogenicity, immunogenicity and viral safety. Mean recovery was 1.01 ± 0.19 IU dL(-1) per IU kg(-1) at baseline and 1.23 ± 0.34 IU dL(-1) per IU kg(-1) 6 months later. Terminal half-life was 34.5 ± 6.2 h and 33.7 ± 5.4 h, respectively. Ratios of each parameter between the two pharmacokinetic studies were all close to 1. A total of 1,576,890 IU AlphaNine(®) were administered in 889 infusions (mean dose per infusion: 1774 IU; 3.2 infusions per month per patient). The main reasons for infusion were mild/moderate bleeding (62.3%) and prophylaxis (20.5% continuous, 15.6% intermittent). Overall, 93.0% of the efficacy assessments were rated as excellent/good and 88.8% of bleedings resolved after the first infusion. Twenty-one adverse events were reported in eight patients, none of which was considered related to the study medication. AlphaNine(®) showed a pharmacokinetic profile in agreement with that of other plasma-derived FIX concentrates and provides safe and clinically effective substitution therapy for patients with haemophilia B.

Objectives The objective of the present study was two fold: first, to determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of the plasma-derived FIX concentrate AlphaNine® in patients with congenital severe haemophilia B (FIX:C 2%). To do this, two PK studies were carried out one six months after the first. The second objective was a comparison of the Alphanine® PK profile with the recombinant Factor IX, BeneFIX®. Patients and methods The first study was a prospective, five-center, open-label, comparative, PK study carried out in 25 severe hemophilia B patients who received 2 single doses of 65–75 IU/kg of AlphaNine® within 6 months (t=0 and t=6). The following parameters were assessed: in vivo recovery, half-life, AUC, mean residence time and clearance. As an extension of the study, a single dose of 65–75 IU/kg of BeneFIX® was administered in 9 out of 25 patients, after a wash-out period of 7–15 days. Results Table 1 summarizes the results obtained when comparing AlphaNine® within a period of time of 6 months (PK1 vs PK2) in 25 patients. Table 2 shows the results obtained when comparing the in vivo recovery of AlphaNine ® vs BeneFIX ® in the 9 patients studied. Conclusions These results confirm that AlphaNine® PK has similar profile as other plasma derived FIX products presently available to treat Hemophilia B patients. In addition, our results show that the recombinant FIX studied, BeneFIX® has a reduced in vivo recovery when is compared to AlphaNine®. Table 1 Parameter AlphaNine® (PK1) t=0 m AlphaNine® (PK2) t=6 m Results are expressed as Mean (SD) In vivo recovery (IU/dl:IU/kg) 1.0 (0.2) 1.2 (0.4) Half-life (h) 34.5 (6.2) 33.7 (5.4) Clearance (ml/min) 0.07 (0.01) 0.07 (0.01) AUC0-inf (IUxh/dl) 1602 (312) 1644 (360) MRT0-inf (h) 35.8 (5.4) 34.6 (5.2) Table 2 Parameter AlphaNine® (PK2) BeneFIX® Results are expressed as Mean (SD); * p<0.05 for the comparison of the in vivo recovery for the BeneFIX® group with the AlphaNine® PK2 In vivo recovery (IU/dl:IU/kg) 1.3 (0.5) 0.8 (0.2)*