FDA Approves First Factor X Concentrate for Treatment of a Rare Hereditary Bleeding Disorder

Note: The following is an edited version of a press release originally published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The original release can be read here.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, the approval of  Coagadex, Coagulation Factor X (Human), for hereditary Factor X (10) deficiency. Until this orphan drug approval, no specific coagulation factor replacement therapy was available for patients with hereditary Factor X deficiency.
In healthy individuals, the Factor X protein activates enzymes to help with normal blood clotting in the body. Factor X deficiency is an inherited disorder, affecting men and women equally, where the blood does not clot as it should. Patients with the disorder are usually treated with fresh-frozen plasma or plasma-derived prothrombin complex concentrates (plasma products containing a combination of vitamin K-dependent proteins) to stop or prevent bleeding. The availability of a purified Factor X concentrate increases treatment options for patients with this rare bleeding disorder.
“The approval of Coagadex is a significant advancement for patients who suffer from this rare but serious disease,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
Coagadex, which is derived from human plasma, is indicated for individuals aged 12 and older with hereditary Factor X deficiency for on-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes, and for perioperative (period extending from the time of hospitalization for surgery to the time of discharge) management of bleeding in patients with mild hereditary Factor X deficiency.
The safety and efficacy of Coagadex was evaluated in a multi-center, non-randomized study involving 16 participants (208 bleeding episodes) for treatment of spontaneous, traumatic and heavy menstrual (menorrhagic) bleeding episodes. Coagadex was demonstrated to be effective in controlling bleeding episodes in participants with moderate to severe hereditary Factor X deficiency. Coagadex was also evaluated in five participants with mild to severe Factor X deficiency who were undergoing surgery. The five individuals received Coagadex for perioperative management of seven surgical procedures. Coagadex was demonstrated to be effective in controlling blood loss during and after surgery in participants with mild deficiency. No individuals with moderate or severe Factor X deficiency received Coagadex for perioperative management of major surgery, and no safety concerns were identified in either study.
The FDA granted Coagadex orphan product designation for these uses. Orphan product designation is given to drugs intended to treat rare diseases in order to promote their development. Coagadex was also granted fast track designation and priority review.
Coagadex is manufactured by Bio Products Laboratory Limited in Elstree, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.