Authors' recommendations: People with von Willebrand disease either have a deficiency of a blood protein called von Willebrand factor, or this protein doesn't work properly. This means that their blood cannot clot properly and they are prone to prolonged or excessive bleeding. There are three different types of von Willebrand disease – types 1, 2, and 3. Type 3 is rare and people with this type have very low levels of von Willebrand factor in their blood, or none at all. Vonicog alfa is a new drug that is given in a drip (directly into a vein). It is being studied to see whether it reduces bleeding in people with severe von Willebrand disease, and that it is safe to use. If vonicog alfa is licensed for use in the UK, it could provide a new treatment for people with severe von Willebrand disease.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2016

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/vonicog-alfa-for-severe-von-willebrand-disease/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)