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Media Center Overview
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Talecris Provides Educational Grant to Support World Federation of Hemophilia’s Global Laboratory Science Program
Program aims to advance patient care through improved diagnosis
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. and MONTREAL, QUEBEC (May 3, 2007) – Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. (http://www.talecris.com) and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) (http://www.wfh.org) jointly announced today that Talecris has provided WFH an educational grant to support its global Laboratory Science Program. The grant, totaling $160,000, provides funding for several program components that collectively seek to improve a laboratory’s proficiency and expertise in the accurate and timely diagnosis of hemophilia, with an emphasis on developing countries. Additionally, a portion of the grant will be applied by WFH to its Corporate Partnership program, providing unrestricted funds in support of WFH’s mission to improve and sustain care for people with inherited bleeding disorders around the world.
Key components of the Laboratory Science Program supported by the Talecris grant include:
IEQAS — International External Quality Assessment Scheme
IEQAS focuses on improving and standardizing laboratory diagnosis of hemophilia worldwide. Participating laboratories test a uniform blood sample to verify their procedures and diagnosis. The process helps identify laboratories that require extra support. IEQAS partners with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Kingdom’s National External Quality Assessment Scheme for Blood Coagulation.
International Train the Trainers Course
This program brings chief laboratory scientists from developing countries to the Royal Free Hospital in the U.K. for training on the latest techniques and scientific methodologies involved in the diagnosis of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. The chief scientists then hold workshops to share their learnings with other laboratory scientists in their country or region.
Laboratory Workshops
WFH will hold workshops in 2007 designed to train laboratory specialists in developing countries around the world. Current locations for these workshops include sites in South America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Mark Skinner, President of the World Federation of Hemophilia, commented on the importance of the Talecris grant. “As WFH continues to expand its global outreach, we continue to focus heavily on creating access to quality care in developing countries. Critical to optimum care is the role the laboratory plays in diagnosis. The Talecris grant allows us to offer key components of our multifaceted Laboratory Science Program, and represents a solid example of a partnership with industry that will benefit people living with hemophilia around the world.”
“Talecris is pleased to be partnering with the WFH,” said Alberto Martinez, M.D., President and CEO of Talecris Biotherapeutics. “Our commitment to the hemophilia community goes beyond our offering of Koate®–DVI (Antihemophilic Factor [Human]). Not only does this grant improve diagnosis and treatment care around the world, but it is consistent with our own internal commitment to laboratory excellence as demonstrated by our facilities in Raleigh, N.C., and Clayton, N.C.”
For more information, contact:
Lacy McMahon, Talecris Biotherapeutics
Tel.: 919.316.6316, Fax: 919.316.6673
E-mail: lacy.mcmahon@talecris.com
About Koate®–DVI
Koate®–DVI (Antihemophilic Factor [Human]) is a plasma-derived product indicated for the treatment of classical hemophilia (hemophilia A) in which there is a demonstrated deficiency of activity of the plasma clotting factor, factor VIII. Koate®–DVI provides a means of temporarily replacing the missing clotting factor to correct or prevent bleeding episodes, or in order to perform emergency and elective surgery on individuals with hemophilia. Koate®–DVI is a U.S. FDA-licensed product and is exported to over 40 countries around the world.
Koate®–DVI incorporates a double viral inactivation in its manufacturing process using solvent/detergent and final container heating at 80°C. More than two billion international units of Koate®–DVI and its precursor product Koate® HP have been infused into patients without a confirmed case of viral transmission. Allergic-type reactions may result from the administration of Antihemophilic Factor (Human) preparations. In the clinical study of Koate®–DVI, all adverse reactions were mild and included tingling in the arm, ear, and face, blurred vision, headache, nausea, stomach ache, and jittery feeling.
As with all plasma-derived therapeutics, the potential to transmit infectious agents cannot be totally eliminated. For additional information on Koate®–DVI, please see full prescribing information at www.talecris.com/us/2.4.0_koate.aspx
About Talecris Biotherapeutics: Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.
Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, and hemostasis. Talecris is proudly building upon a 60-year legacy of innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of people who rely on its therapeutic products. With an emphasis on scientific inquiry and technological excellence, Talecris is expanding its current portfolio of products, programs, and services through its own world-class product development organization as well as through strategic initiatives that leverage its strengths with those of its partners.
Talecris, with revenues of approximately $1.2 billion in 2007, is headquartered in biotech hub Research Triangle Park, N.C., and employs more than 4,000 talented people worldwide.
To learn more about Talecris and how our employees are making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare community, visit www.talecris.com.
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