Biogen and partner will advance hemophilia drug

NEW YORK

Biogen Idec Inc. and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum said Friday they will continue clinical testing of a potential hemophilia drug based on promising results from an early trial.

The companies are testing a form of a protein called factor VIII. The protein is involved in the formation of blood clots, and people with hemophilia A have little or none of it. Biogen and Biovitrum said that in an early study on 16 patients, their drug was safe and had "a prolonged half-life" compared an older drug, Advate, which is made by Baxter International Inc. and reached the market in 2003.

Treatment for severe hemophilia A requires frequent injections of factor VIII, and Biogen and Biovitrum say patients who use their drug may have greater protection from bleeding and may not need as many injections.

Hemophilia A occurs in one out of 5,000 male births. The companies said patients are often treated with infusions of factor VIII three times per week or every other day, which improves blood clotting and reduces side effects like pain and joint damage.

In morning trading shares of Cambridge, Mass.-based Biogen Idec shares rose 51 cents to $51.35.