The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation to Kedrion Biopharma's Coagulation Factor X human (COAGADEX) for treating acquired Factor X deficiency, a rare hematologic disorder with a global prevalence of fewer than one in one million people. The FDA has also authorized the company to initiate a clinical trial evaluating the therapy's efficacy and safety in treating active bleeding episodes and managing perioperative bleeding in patients with acquired Factor X deficiency associated with AL amyloidosis.
Expanding Beyond Hereditary Conditions
COAGADEX is a plasma-derived human coagulation factor concentrate currently approved in 38 countries for treating hereditary Factor X deficiency in adults and children. The therapy is indicated for routine prophylaxis to reduce bleeding episodes, on-demand treatment and control of bleeding episodes, and perioperative management of bleeding in patients with mild, moderate, or severe hereditary Factor X deficiency.
"Receiving orphan drug designation for COAGADEX in aFXD is a significant milestone for Kedrion," said Bob Rossilli, Chief Commercial Officer and US General Manager at Kedrion Biopharma. "This designation underscores the unmet need for therapies to treat aFXD and the potential of COAGADEX in this space."
Addressing AL Amyloidosis-Related Bleeding Risk
The most common cause of acquired Factor X deficiency is AL amyloidosis, where amyloid fibrils bind to and reduce circulating Factor X levels, shortening its half-life and significantly increasing the risk of bleeding. The upcoming clinical trial aims to address this treatment gap by evaluating COAGADEX's ability to restore hemostasis in this vulnerable population.
Patient recruitment is currently underway at the first activated trial site, which will focus on both moderate and severe forms of acquired Factor X deficiency, defined by Factor X coagulant activity levels below 50% of normal.
"This study represents a pivotal step in evaluating the therapeutic potential of COAGADEX beyond HFXD," said Nisha Jain, VP Global Clinical Development and Strategy. "By targeting aFXD in patients with light chain amyloidosis, we are advancing our commitment to precision treatment in rare bleeding disorders."
Safety Profile and Manufacturing
COAGADEX is manufactured by Bio Products Laboratory Limited and distributed in the United States by Kedrion Biopharma Inc. In clinical studies, the most common adverse reactions reported with COAGADEX include infusion site erythema, infusion site pain, fatigue, and back pain, occurring in 5% or more of subjects.
Patients are advised to monitor for allergic-type hypersensitivity reactions or inhibitor formation during treatment. The therapy is made from human plasma and may contain infectious agents, though no cases of viral disease transmission have been associated with COAGADEX use.
The orphan drug designation and FDA authorization for the clinical trial represent important steps toward expanding COAGADEX's therapeutic potential to address unmet medical needs in rare bleeding disorders beyond hereditary conditions.
