• The renewed commitment will provide continued preventative (prophylactic) treatment to as many as 1,000 people with hemophilia A in locations where there is little to no access to hemophilia treatment
• Prophylactic treatment aims to prevent bleeds and allow people with hemophilia to achieve quality of life comparable to non-hemophilic individuals. Access to this is particularly restricted in developing countries, with the limited healthcare resources reserved for emergency situations and acute bleeds
• More than 940 people across 30 countries have already benefited from Roche’s donations since the start of the partnership in February 2019

TOKYO, May 10, 2022 -- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) announced today that Roche has extended its commitment to the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) Humanitarian Aid Program until the end of 2028. Roche’s prophylactic treatment will be provided to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program to continue to treat as many as 1,000 people with hemophilia A in locations where there is little to no access to treatment. Chugai, the originator of the novel prophylactic treatment, will also continue its contribution as a member of the Roche Group.

The partnership, which was originally formed by Roche and the WFH in February 2019, marked the first time that patients in developing countries had received access to a prophylactic treatment. The donated treatment has since benefited more than 940 people across 30 countries.

Most people with bleeding disorders in developing countries have no access to diagnosis, treatment and care,¹ which significantly affects their health, quality of life and life expectancy. Access to prophylactic treatment – the standard of care for hemophilia A to prevent bleeds in most of the developed world – is particularly restricted in developing countries, with the limited healthcare resources reserved for emergency situations and acute bleeds.^2,3 In some developing countries, low dose prophylaxis has been developed as a solution to provide better care for those with hemophilia,⁴ although this does not provide the standard of care seen with higher dose prophylaxis regimens, considered the ‘gold standard’.² People with severe hemophilia in these countries often do not survive to adulthood because they are unable to access the treatment they critically need.⁵ For those who do, life often entails severe disability, isolation and chronic pain.

The WFH Humanitarian Aid Program is a landmark initiative leading the effort to help address the lack of access to care and treatment by providing much-needed support for people with inherited bleeding disorders in developing countries. So far, more than 22,000 people with hemophilia in over 112 countries have been treated with prophylactic and on-demand treatment thanks to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, with over 2,000 receiving prophylactic treatment.⁶

“Thanks to the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, more people with hemophilia A are able to benefit from our prophylactic treatment, originated by Chugai; providing not only sustainable care to the individual, but ultimately benefiting their societies as a whole,” said Chugai's President and CEO, Dr. Osamu Okuda. “I am delighted that Chugai and Roche will continue to support the Program, so that we can ensure consistent access to our treatment through the WFH.”

In its growth strategy “TOP I 2030,” Chugai states that it aims to become a role model for the world recognized for its ESG initiatives through its business activities, which is one specific image of a Top Innovator in 2030. Chugai positions improving access to health care as one of its material management issues, and will continue to promote its global health initiatives to provide “sustainable patient-centric healthcare.”

[Related Press Release]
Together with Roche, Chugai Joins the World Federation of Hemophilia Humanitarian Aid Program
(Press release issued on February 6, 2019)
https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/news/detail/20190206150000_594.html

About Chugai's Global Health Initiatives
Chugai's SDGs development goal focuses on “Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being” which is directly linked to Chugai's mission. In developing countries in Asia, we will continue activities to support improved patient-centered quality cancer care through multidisciplinary team approaches and guideline development appropriate for resources. Chugai’s basic approach to global health concepts, please refer to the following page.
https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/english/sustainability/globalhealth/concept.html

References

1. World Federation of Hemophilia. Achieving Global Impact – Strategic plan: 2021-2025 [Internet; cited May 2022]. Available from: https://wfh.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WFH-Strategic-Plan-2021-2025.pdf.
2. Poon MC and Lee A. Individualized prophylaxis for optimizing hemophilia care: can we apply this to both developed and developing nations? Thrombosis Journal. 2016; 14:32.
3. De Kleijn P et al. Differences between developed and developing countries in paediatric care in haemophilia. Haemophilia. 2012;18:94-100.
4. Sidharthan N and Sudevan R. Low Dose Prophylaxis in Hemophilia Care. Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus. 2020 Jan;36(1):16-25.
5. Ghosh K and Ghosh K. Management of haemophilia in developing countries: challenges and options. Indian J Hematol Bloos Transfus. 2016 July-Sept; 32(3):347-355.
6. World Federation of Hemophilia. Humanitarian Aid Program Impact Report [Internet; cited May 2022]. Available from: URL.https://wfh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Humanitarian_Aid_2021_Impact_Report.pdf