Key Points• BAX 855, a pegylated fulllength rFVIII with extended half-life, was highly effective in the prevention and treatment of bleeding events.• No subjects receiving BAX 855 developed FVIII inhibitory antibodies nor experienced unexpected adverse events.Current management of hemophilia A includes prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII) replacement every 2 to 3 days. BAX 855, Baxalta's pegylated full-length recombinant FVIII (rFVIII), was designed to increase half-life and, thus, reduce the frequency of prophylactic infusions while maintaining hemostatic efficacy. BAX 855 was evaluated in previously treated patients with severe hemophilia A who were aged 12 to 65 years. A phase 1 study compared the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of BAX 855 with that of licensed rFVIII (Advate). In a pivotal study, the annualized bleeding rate (ABR), PK parameters, and efficacy of bleeding treatment were assessed. In the phase 1 study, the mean half-life (T 1/2 ) and the mean residence time of BAX 855 compared with Advate were 1.4-to 1.5-fold higher. These results were confirmed in the pivotal study. The pivotal study met its primary endpoint: Prophylaxis with BAX 855 resulted in an ABR that was significantly lower than half the ABR of on-demand treatment (P < .0001). The median ABR was 1.9, and 39.6% of compliant subjects had no bleeding episodes during prophylaxis, whereas subjects treated ondemand had a median ABR of 41.5. BAX 855 was also efficacious for the treatment of bleeding episodes, with 95.9% of bleeding episodes treated with 1 to 2 infusions and 96.1% having efficacy ratings of excellent/good. No FVIII inhibitory antibodies or safety signals were identified. These studies provide evidence that BAX 855 was safe and efficacious for on-demand treatment and prophylaxis administered twice weekly in patients with hemophilia A.

Factor replacement therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe haemophilia A and B can be complicated by the production of inhibitory alloantibodies to factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX. Treatment with the nanofiltered anti-inhibitor coagulant complex, Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA NF), is a key therapeutic option for controlling acute haemorrhages in patients with high-titre inhibitors or low-titre inhibitors refractory to replacement therapy. Given the high risk for morbidity and mortality in haemophilia patients with inhibitors to FVIII or FIX, we conducted this Phase 3 prospective study to evaluate whether prophylaxis with FEIBA NF is a safe and effective treatment option. Over a 1-year period, 17 subjects were treated prophylactically (85 ± 15 U kg−1 every other day) while 19 subjects were treated on demand. The median (IQR) annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylaxis was 7.9 (8.1), compared to 28.7 (32.3) during on-demand treatment, which amounts to a 72.5% reduction and a statistically significant difference in ABRs between arms (P = 0.0003). Three (17.6%) subjects (ITT) on prophylaxis experienced no bleeding episodes, whereas none treated on demand were bleeding episode-free. Total utilization of FEIBA NF for the treatment of bleeding episodes was significantly higher during on-demand therapy than prophylaxis (P = 0.0067). There were no differences in the rates of related adverse events between arms. This study demonstrates that FEIBA prophylaxis significantly reduces all types of bleeding compared with on-demand treatment, and the safety of prophylaxis is comparable to that of on-demand treatment.

Ceftaroline fosamil demonstrated high clinical cure and microbiological success rates, was efficacious against cSSSIs caused by MRSA and other common cSSSI pathogens and was generally well tolerated. Monotherapy with ceftaroline fosamil has the potential to provide an alternative treatment for cSSSIs.

Key Points rVIII-SingleChain is a novel rFVIII, designed to have high stability and high binding affinity for VWF. In severe hemophilia A patients, rVIII-SingleChain was well tolerated and resulted in low bleeding rates, when dosed twice per week.

Turoctocog alfa pegol (N8-GP, Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark), an extended half-life glycoPEGylated recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII), is being developed for prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds in haemophilia A patients. pathfinder™5 is a multinational, open-label, single-arm trial to assess safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of N8-GP in paediatric (<12 years), previously treated patients. Boys with severe haemophilia A (<1 % FVIII), no history of inhibitors and previously treated with FVIII products (>50 exposure days [ED] for patients aged 0-5 years [younger cohort]; >150 ED for patients aged 6-11 years [older cohort]) were included. For prophylaxis, N8-GP was dosed at 50-75 IU/kg twice weekly; bleeds were treated with 20-75 IU/kg. Half-life was estimated for the patients' previous FVIII product and for N8-GP. Sixty-eight patients received N8-GP; none developed inhibitors and no other concerns were identified. Median annualised bleeding rate was 1.95 (1.94 and 1.97 in the younger and older cohorts, respectively). Twenty-nine patients (42.6 %; 15 younger and 14 older children, respectively) did not report any bleeding while on N8-GP prophylaxis; 39 patients (57.4 %; 19 younger and 20 older children, respectively) reported 70 bleeds (all mild/moderate). N8-GP treatment was successful for 78.6 % of bleeds in all patients, 80.0 % in younger and 77.5 % in older patients. Most bleeds (80.0 %) were treated with ≤2 injections. Half-life ratio between N8-GP and the patients' previous FVIII product was 1.85. N8-GP was well tolerated and provided effective prophylaxis and treatment of bleeds in paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A.

Introduction: Primary factor VIII (FVIII) prophylaxis is the optimal treatment in children with severe haemophilia A. They are expected to benefit from extended half-life (T 1/2 ) FVIII coverage by reduced infusion frequency while maintaining haemostatic efficacy. Aims: To determine immunogenicity, pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, safety and quality of life of prophylaxis with a polyethylene glycol (peg)-ylated FVIII (BAX 855) based on full-length recombinant FVIII (ADVATE) in paediatric previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe haemophilia A. Methods: PTPs <12 years without history of FVIII inhibitors received twice-weekly infusions of 50 AE 10 IU kg À1 BAX 855 for ≥50 exposure days. Prophylactic dose increases to ≤80 IU kg À1 were allowed under predefined conditions. PK was evaluated after single infusions of 60 AE 5 IU kg À1. Results: T 1/2 and mean residence time were extended 1.3-to 1.5-fold compared to ADVATE (n = 31), depending on the analysis used. The point estimate for the mean annualized bleeding rate in 66 subjects receiving a median of 1.9 weekly infusions of 51.3 IU kg À1 of BAX 855 each was 3.04 (median 2.0); 1.10 (median 0) for joint and 1.16 (median 0) for spontaneous bleeds. Overall, 38% of subjects had zero bleeds. No bleeds were severe. Haemostatic efficacy was rated excellent or good for 90% of bleeds; 91% were treated with one or two infusions. In 8/14 subjects all target joints resolved. No subject developed FVIII inhibitors or persistent binding antibodies that affected safety or efficacy. No adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: Twice-weekly prophylaxis with BAX 855 was safe and efficacious in paediatric PTPs with severe haemophilia A.

Rurioctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis targeting factor VIII (FVIII) troughs ≥1% is efficacious and well-tolerated in people with hemophilia A (PwHA). As some may benefit from higher FVIII troughs, the PROPEL trial compared safety and efficacy of 2 target FVIII trough levels in PwHA with severe disease, aged 12-65 years, annualized bleeding rate ≥2, and previous FVIII treatment. They were randomized to 12 months' pharmacokinetic (PK)-guided rurioctocog alfa pegol prophylaxis targeting FVIII troughs of 1-3% (reference arm) or 8-12% (elevated arm). Treatment-adjustment period was in the first 6 months. Primary endpoint: proportion of PwHA (full analysis set [FAS]) with zero total bleeds (all bleeds) during second 6 months. Overall, 115 male PwHA were randomized (N=115, FAS; N=95, per-protocol analysis set [PPAS]). In the 1-3% and 8-12% arms, respectively, point estimates (95% CI) of proportions of PwHA with zero total bleeds were 42% (29-55%) and 62% (49-75%) in FAS (P=0.055) and 40% (27-55%) and 67% (52-81%) in PPAS (P=0.015). Dosing frequency and consumption varied widely in each arm. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 70/115 (60.9%) PwHA. Serious AEs occurred in 7/115 (6%) PwHA, including 1 treatment-related serious AE in 8-12% arm (transient anti-FVIII inhibitor). There were no deaths, serious thrombotic events, or AE-related discontinuations. PK-guided prophylaxis was achievable and efficacious in both arms, with no new safety signal in the 8-12% arm vs previous studies. These results demonstrate elevated FVIII troughs can increase the proportion of PwHA with zero bleeds and also emphasize the importance of personalized treatment. Trial registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT02585960).

Essentials• rVIII-SingleChain is a novel recombinant factor VIII with covalently bonded heavy and light chains.• Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics were studied in pediatric patients with severe hemophilia A.• Across all prophylaxis regimens, the median annualized spontaneous bleeding rate was 0.00.• rVIII-SingleChain showed excellent hemostatic efficacy and a favorable safety profile.Summary. Background: rVIII-SingleChain is a novel B-domain truncated recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) comprised of covalently bonded FVIII heavy and light chains, demonstrating a high binding affinity to von Willebrand factor. Objectives: This phase III study investigated the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of rVIIISingleChain in previously treated pediatric patients < 12 years of age with severe hemophilia A. Patients/ Methods: Patients could be assigned to prophylaxis or ondemand therapy by the investigator. For patients assigned to prophylaxis, the treatment regimen and dose were based on the bleeding phenotype. For patients receiving on-demand therapy, dosing was guided by World Federation of Hemophilia recommendations. The primary endpoint was treatment success, defined as a rating of 'excellent' or 'good' on the investigator's clinical assessment of hemostatic efficacy for all treated bleeding events. Results: The study enrolled 84 patients (0 to < 6 years, n = 35; ≥ 6 to < 12 years, n = 49); 81 were assigned to prophylaxis and three to an on-demand regimen. Patients accumulated a total of 5239 exposure days (EDs), with 65 participants reaching > 50 EDs. In the 347 bleeds treated and evaluated by the investigator, hemostatic efficacy was rated as excellent or good in 96.3%. The median annualized spontaneous bleeding rate was 0.00 (Q1, Q3: 0.00, 2.20), and the median annualized bleeding rate was 3.69 (Q1, Q3: 0.00, 7.20) across all prophylaxis regimens. No participant developed an inhibitor. Conclusions: rVIII-SingleChain is a novel rFVIII molecule showing excellent hemostatic efficacy and a favorable safety profile in a clinical study in children < 12 years of age with severe hemophilia A.