To mark World Haemophilia Day, Bayer HealthCare is reaffirming its commitment to the global haemophilia community by pledging EUR 250,000 to the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH). Bayer employees around the world are organizing local World Haemophilia Day activities to engage and educate people on issues facing the community through events such as sporting competitions, information booths, professional symposia and physical therapy workshops.
Bayer’s annual contribution has helped support WFH’s treatment, care and education initiatives, including the Global Alliance for Progress (GAP) initiative, a program to increase the proper diagnosis and treatment of haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, and the International Haemophilia Nursing Fellowship Programme, which provides haemophilia education and training to nurses in developing countries. Bayer is the sole sponsor of this nursing programme.
"One of the core goals of the World Federation of Haemophilia is to make safe, effective treatment available for all those with inherited bleeding disorders, regardless of where they live," said Mark Skinner, WFH president. "Our vision of ‘Treatment for All’ means expanding services to reach all those in need. And with the help of partners like Bayer, we continue to improve care for people with all bleeding disorders around the world."
Reflecting Bayer’s commitment to the haemophilia community, employees around the world will engage in World Haemophilia Day activities under the theme “Reach Out &Care” that are a natural continuation of their commitment and everyday work to help people with haemophilia live the lives they choose.
“We at Bayer are profoundly aware of the human impact haemophilia has on people living with the disorder, and are equally passionate about helping them,” said Michael E Mathews, vice president and therapeutic area head, Haematology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. “Through our long-term commitment to the global haemophilia community and history of scientific innovation, we are striving to develop new products and launch unique services that increase convenience and, ultimately, improve health outcomes.”
Over the last three decades, Bayer has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research, clinical trials and post-marketing studies that have led to improved treatments and a better understanding of haemophilia. Today, as a leader in haemophilia research, Bayer continues to support advances in treatment by:
Applying innovative technologies to develop a recombinant factor VIII molecule with improved properties such as increased circulation time and lower immunogenicity.
Initiating a global clinical development on a next-generation recombinant factor VIIa protein that may provide improved treatment options to patients with haemophilia A and B who have developed antibodies – or inhibitors – to either factor VIII or factor IX.
Investing in research and studies that further increase the data on the safety and efficacy of its Kogenate line of products.
Supporting the Bayer Haemophilia Awards Program (BHAP), one of the largest and oldest programs of its kind in the industry. Since 2002, BHAP has funded novel haemophilia research and education projects around the world.
Bayer has a long history of advocating for and supporting the global haemophilia community. Bayer has donated more than 20 million units of product to countries with limited access to haemophilia treatment and continues to serve the community by facilitating access to relevant information for teens and young men with haemophilia.