Introduction Nuwiq® (Human‐cl rhFVIII) is a fourth generation recombinant FVIII, produced in a human cell line, without chemical modification or protein fusion. No inhibitors developed in studies with Nuwiq® in 201 previously treated patients with haemophilia A (HA). The immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of Nuwiq® in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe HA are being assessed in the ongoing NuProtect study. Methods The study, conducted across 38 centres worldwide, is evaluating 110 true PUPs of all ages and ethnicities enrolled for study up to 100 exposure days (EDs) or 5 years maximum. The primary objective is to assess the immunogenicity of Nuwiq® (inhibitor activity ≥0.6 BU) using the Nijmegen‐modified Bethesda assay at a central laboratory. Results Data for 66 PUPs with ≥20 EDs from a preplanned interim analysis were analysed. High‐titre (HT) inhibitors developed in 8 of 66 patients after a median of 11.5 EDs (range 6‐24). Five patients developed low‐titre inhibitors (4 transient). The cumulative incidence (95% confidence interval) was 12.8% (4.5%, 21.2%) for HT inhibitors and 20.8% (10.7%, 31.0%) for all inhibitors. During inhibitor‐free periods, median annualized bleeding rates during prophylaxis were 0 for spontaneous bleeds and 2.40 for all bleeds. Efficacy was rated as “excellent” or “good” in treating 91.8% of bleeds. Efficacy of surgical prophylaxis was “excellent” or “good” for 8 (89%) procedures and “moderate” for 1 (11%). No tolerability concerns were evident. Conclusion These interim data show a cumulative incidence of 12.8% for HT inhibitors and convincing efficacy and tolerability in PUPs treated with Nuwiq®.

Background Studies have shown that the incidence of inhibitor development varies between FVIII concentrates, with some suggesting that recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) concentrates produced in hamster cell lines pose a greater risk of inhibitor development than plasma-derived (pd) von Willebrand factor (VWF)-containing FVIII (pdFVIII/VWF) products. In the SIPPET study, the cumulative incidence of high-titer inhibitorswith hamster-cell derived rFVIII products was 28.4% vs 18.6% for pdFVIII/VWF (Peyvandi F et al. N Engl J Med 2016; 374:2054-2064). These studies did not include new generation rFVIII products produced in human cell lines. Nuwiq® (Human-cl rFVIII) is the first and only new-generation rFVIII produced in human cells without chemical modification or protein fusion. The pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of Nuwiq® have been examined in previously treated patients (PTPs) with severe hemophilia A, and no inhibitors have been reported in 201 PTPs. The immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of Nuwiq® in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe hemophilia A is currently being assessed in the ongoing NuProtect study. Methods The NuProtect study was initiated in 2013 and is being conducted in 17 countries and 38 centers worldwide. One hundred evaluable (110 enrolled) male PUPs of all ages and ethnicities are being studied for 100 exposure days (EDs) or a maximum study participation of 5 years. The patients were to have received no treatment with FVIII concentrates or other blood products containing FVIII prior to study entry. The primary objective of the NuProtect study is to assess the immunogenicity of Nuwiq® by determining inhibitor activity (≥0.6 BU) using the Nijmegen modified Bethesda assay in a central laboratory. Intensive screening for inhibitors is scheduled every 3-4 EDs until 20 EDs, then every 10-12 EDs until 100 EDs, and every 3 months until study completion. Secondary endpoints include assessment of hemostatic efficacy in prophylaxis, in the treatment of bleeds and in surgical prophylaxis, as well as safety and tolerability. All patients undergo F8 gene mutation analysis. Results Data from 85 treated PUPs have been included in the first pre-planned interim analysis (May 2016) of which 66 PUPs had ≥20 EDs (by which time the majority of inhibitors are likely to have arisen). The median age at first treatment was 13 months (range: 3-135). Of the 59 patients with available F8 gene mutation analysis, 1 (1.7%) had no identifiable mutation, 44 (74.6%) had mutations conferring a high risk of inhibitor development and 47 (81.0%) had null mutations. Data analysis in May 2016 showed that only 8 of the 66 PUPs treated with Nuwiq® for ≥20 EDs had developed a high-titer inhibitor after a median of 11.5 EDs (range 6-24). Five of the 66 PUPs developed a low-titer inhibitor, 4 (80%) of which were transient. Only 2 patients developed an inhibitor (1 high-titer) after 20 EDs. The cumulative incidence of high-titer inhibitors in PUPs treated with Nuwiq® is 12.8% (95% CI: 4.49-21.15) (Figure 1). The cumulative incidence of low-titer inhibitors was 8.4% (95% CI: 1.28-15.59) and of all inhibitors was 20.8% (95% CI: 10.68-30.95). No patient developed an inhibitor after 25 EDs. The incidence has remained consistent since the start of the study in 2013. Twelve of 13 patients who developed inhibitors had the causative F8 gene mutation detected, all of which were null, and all but one were high-risk. Conclusions PUPs treated with Nuwiq® for ≥20 EDs had 12.8% cumulative incidence of high-titer inhibitorsat the time of interim analysis (8 of 66 PUPs) despite the fact that 81% of patients had gene mutations known to be associated with increased inhibitor risk (e.g. null mutations). These interim data support the low rate of inhibitor development in PUPs treated with Nuwiq® - a human-cell derived (not chemically modified or protein fused) recombinant FVIII. Final data from the NuProtect study are expected in 2018 and will provide further insights into the development of inhibitors in PUPs with severe hemophilia A. Figure 1. Cumulative incidence of inhibitor development Figure 1. Cumulative incidence of inhibitor development Disclosures Liesner: CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biogen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; SOBI: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; BPL: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Cangene: Research Funding; Baxalta Innovations GmbH, now a part of Shire: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria. Altisent:Baxalta: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding; Grifols: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy. Belletrutti:Shire Pharmaceuticals (formerly Baxalta): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Other: Travel support. Borel-Derlon:LFB: Other: Reference expert and national coordinator for VWD; Shire - Baxalta: Research Funding; Octapharma: Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Other: Expert for scientific committee. Ducore:CSL Behring: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Biogen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; LFB: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Octapharama: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Baxalta (Shire): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sigaud:Shire - Baxalta: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

After the dissolution of Soviet Union in 1991, haemophilia care in the Republic of Georgia was negatively affected because of the expense of treatment products, lack of clinical and diagnostic facilities, and the need for trained personnel throughout the country. In 2001, the Georgian Government, working through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Georgian Association of Haemophilia and Donors, the Institute of Haematology and Transfusion, and the World Federation of Haemophilia, initiated a National Haemophilia Programme. As part of this programme the first Georgian Haemophilia Treatment Centre (HTC) was established. In this paper, we will describe (i) our outreach efforts to identify patients with haemophilia (PWH), (ii) the diagnostic and clinical services provided to patients by the HTC, and (iii) the results of a patient survey designed to assess patient satisfaction with the care provided. Total of 216 PWH were diagnosed, mean age was 25 years (range 4 months to 75 years); 43% had severe, 33% had moderate and 24% had mild haemophilia A or B. Overall, 183 (85%) had haemophilia A and 33 (15%) had haemophilia B, giving a ratio of 5.6. During the 2-year period, 77% of the expected number of PWH was identified by our outreach programme. Vast majority had comprehensive evaluation including joint assessment and over 60% were tested for blood-borne infections within a year and half period. Our findings showed that haemophilia care was considerably improved since the beginning of the National Haemophilia Programme and the survey of PWH showed a high degree of satisfaction with services provided in the HTC. In conclusion, close collaboration of the government, non-government entities and medical professionals in a Georgian national haemophilia care model; resulted in the successful delivery of the much needed services and care to the people living in Georgia with haemophilia.

Background The NuProtect study reported data on the immunogenicity, efficacy and tolerability of simoctocog alfa (Nuwiq®) in 108 previously untreated patients with severe haemophilia A planned to be treated for ≥100 exposure days or up to 5 years. The NuProtect‐Extension study collected long‐term prophylaxis data in children with severe haemophilia A. Methods Patients who completed the NuProtect study according to the protocol were eligible for the NuProtect‐Extension study, a prospective, multinational, non‐controlled, Phase 3b study. Results Of 48 patients who entered the extension study, 47 (median age 2.8 years) received prophylaxis with simoctocog alfa for a median of 24 months, with 82%–88% on a twice‐weekly or less regimen. No patient developed FVIII inhibitors during the extension study. The median (IQR) annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylaxis was 0 (0–0.5) for spontaneous bleeding episodes (BEs) and 1.00 (0–1.95) for all BEs. ABRs estimated using a negative binomial model were .28 (95% CI: .15, .53) for spontaneous and 1.62 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.42) for all BEs. During the median follow‐up of 24 months, 34 (72%) patients had zero spontaneous BEs and 46 (98%) had zero spontaneous joint BEs. Efficacy in treating BEs was excellent or good for 78.2% of rated BEs, and efficacy of surgical prophylaxis was excellent for two rated surgeries. No treatment‐related adverse events were reported. Conclusion No FVIII inhibitors developed during long‐term prophylaxis in the NuProtect‐Extension study. Prophylaxis with simoctocog alfa was efficacious and well‐tolerated, and is therefore an attractive long‐term option for children with severe haemophilia A.