Héma-Québec tender selects an extended half-life FVIII

Héma-Québec announced on November 30, following its Request for Proposals for recombinant factor VIII concentrates, that it had selected Esperoct.

Esperoct is approved by Health Canada for use in adults and children with hemophilia A for:

• Routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes;
• On-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes;
• Perioperative management of bleeding.

Esperoct is an extended half-life (EHL) factor VIII therapy manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Its average half-life in adults is 19 hours, compared to 12 hours for many standard half-life FVIIIs. A longer half-life allows less frequent infusions. In the case of Esperoct, the recommended dose in adults and adolescents is 50 IUs/kg every four days, and in children under 12 years of age, 60 IUs/kg twice a week. The longer half-life in esperoct is achieved by joining a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule to the factor VIII. This marks the first time that an EHL FVIII has been selected as the routine FVIII concentrate available to Quebecers with hemophilia A.

Esperoct will be available as of April 1, 2023 and will then gradually replace Nuwiq and Zonovate for hemophilia A patients treating with FVIII. Vial sizes are 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 IUs.

Other FVIII products can be provided if there is a demonstrated medical need.

Please consult your bleeding disorder treatment centre for more information.