Dr. Akshat Jain and patient Alexander Vega make history as the first in California to receive Marstacimab (Hympavzi), the newly FDA-approved subcutaneous immunotherapy for Hemophilia B.

Dr. Akshat Jain and patient Alexander Vega make history as the first to receive Marstacimab (Hympavzi), the newly FDA-approved subcutaneous immunotherapy for Hemophilia B at LLUH.

For patients with Hemophilia B, managing their bleeding condition has long been a demanding and painful process. Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) Hemophilia Treatment Center has become the first medical center in California to initiate treatment with Marstacimab (Hympavzi), a newly FDA-approved subcutaneous immunotherapy. This breakthrough offers an alternative to the painful injections into the vein that has been a long-standing standard of care for patients from early childhood throughout the rest of their lives.

Hemophilia B is a life-threatening bleeding disorder that historically required patients to receive intravenous (IV) infusions of clotting factor — sometimes multiple times a week — to prevent dangerous internal bleeding. The process is especially challenging for teens and young adults, who often rely on their caregivers to administer these treatments and require surgery to implant a surgical device for infusions.

Some 30-50% of boys with hemophilia suffer from complications of obesity due to fear of bleeding from participating in regular sports. Additionally, long-distance travel or trips are challenging as the IV factor needs to be refrigerated and is bulky to carry. Marstacimab comes in a weekly self-administered pen that allows patients to treat themselves “on the go.” The new therapy removes the need for IV access, reducing pain and discomfort while significantly improving the patient’s independence and overall quality of life.

“For the first time, patients with Hemophilia B in Southern California have access to a therapy that is not just effective but also drastically improves their daily lives,” said Akshat Jain, MD, Director of the Hemophilia Treatment Center at LLUH. “This marks a monumental shift in treatment, allowing patients to take control of their health in a way that was not possible before.”

Alexander Vega, 15, the first patient in California to receive this therapy has undergone treatment at LLUH for seven weeks and has already experienced significant benefits. Previously dependent on regular IV infusions, he can now manage the condition with ease, no longer needing to endure repeated needle sticks.

The effect of frequent IV infusions on vein health and quality of life limits patients’ ability to participate in specific jobs, activities, or travel. A 2012 study by the National Institutes of Health found that a third of patients with hemophilia suffered from depression.

This development is a life-changing advancement for those living with Hemophilia B, offering more freedom from the constraints of traditional treatment methods.