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Bleeding Disorders

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Over a century ago, CSL Behring embarked on an enduring journey to save lives and improve the quality of life for people with bleeding disorders.

This journey began in 1901, when Emil von Behring won the first Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his work on serum therapies. In 1954, we produced the world’s first pasteurized plasma protein solution—and became the first company to fractionate plasma proteins from human plasma on an industrial scale. Our heritage of innovation continued when, in 1981, we marketed the world’s first pasteurized factor VIII therapy for the treatment of patients with hemophilia A. Today, we remain a world leader in emerging coagulation biotherapies and technologies.

In fact, coagulation therapy is the keystone of our broad range of global therapies. Our extensive portfolio boasts over a dozen coagulation products used for the treatment of hemophilia A, hemophilia B, and the most common inherited bleeding disorder in the world, von Willebrand disease (VWD).

The Role of Coagulation Therapy
Coagulation therapy aims to replace the missing or defective factor in the blood. CSL Behring’s coagulation therapies include recombinant and plasma-derived factor VIII; plasma-derived factor VIII/VWF concentrate; monoclonal antibody purified factor IX; factor XIII; factor I to treat patients with fibrinogen deficiency; and factor X for treating factor X deficiency. Affecting 1 in 1-1.5 million people, factor X deficiency is an especially rare disease. CSL Behring has the only factor X treatment available.

Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B
Hemophilia and VWD are rare but serious bleeding disorders. Having hemophilia or VWD doesn’t mean patients bleed faster or more profusely—but, without proper treatment, they bleed for a longer time because their blood doesn’t clot properly.

Hemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of a clotting protein in the blood called factor VIII. Hemophilia A occurs in at least 1 in 10,000 people, almost entirely males, although it occasionally affects females (see Kristin's Surprise Diagnosis ).

Like hemophilia A, hemophilia B primarily affects males. Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor IX. About 1 in 50,000 people are born with hemophilia B.

Both types of hemophilia may be mild, moderate, or severe, and can lead to spontaneous internal bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery. If these episodes are not treated properly and promptly, they can result in serious health consequences, including joint damage.

Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)
Though less well known than hemophilia, VWD is actually the most common inherited bleeding disorder. VWD results from a deficiency of a clotting factor known as von Willebrand factor (VWF). Unlike hemophilia, VWD affects males and females equally, but more women are diagnosed because heavy or prolonged menstrual periods are a key symptom.