Study Reports Significant Increase in Incidence of Preeclampsia, a Potentially Life-Threatening Pregnancy Complication
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A study published recently in the American Journal of Perinatology
reports a dramatic increase in the incidence of preeclampsia in the
United States. Preeclampsia and early onset preeclampsia have grown 67
percent and 140 percent respectively over the past two decades. The rise
in this life-threatening condition outpaces that of some of the United
States’ most challenging public health concerns, including diabetes,
obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. Preeclampsia is one of the top six
causes of maternal mortality in the United States and is associated with
infant death and potentially lifelong complications for the mother and
newborn.
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that typically develops
after 20 weeks gestation. Early onset preeclampsia is a severe form that
occurs before 34 weeks gestation. The condition is characterized by high
blood pressure and is thought to be the result of an abnormal
interaction of the placenta with the mother’s cardiovascular and immune
systems. Today, the only definitive treatment for preeclampsia is
delivery of the newborn regardless of gestational age.
Mothers with preeclampsia account for approximately 10 percent of births
before 34 weeks gestation. Preterm infants, particularly those born at
or before 28 weeks, have a greater likelihood of cardiovascular and
respiratory diseases as well as higher rates of disability, cognitive
delays and behavioral or psychological effects.
“This study demonstrates the growing impact of preterm preeclampsia on
pregnant women, their newborns and society,” said Michael Paidas,
M.D., Professor & Vice Chair, Obstetrics, and Director, Yale Women and
Children’s Center for Blood Disorders and Preeclampsia
Advancement, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive
Sciences, Yale School of Medicine and a senior author of the study. “The
importance of identifying an effective treatment to prolong pregnancy
and treat preeclampsia cannot be underestimated.”
The study authors call for additional research and assessments to obtain
greater understanding of the societal and economic impact of the disease.
The study was funded by rEVO
Biologics Inc., a subsidiary of LFB Biotechnologies, and the sponsor
of PRESERVE-1
(Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of
Recombinant Human Antithrombin in Very Preterm Pre-Eclampsia), a Phase 3
clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of antithrombin
(Recombinant) in extending gestational age for women with early onset
preeclampsia.
About rEVO Biologics
rEVO Biologics, Inc. (www.revobiologics.com)
is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development and commercialization of specialty therapeutics to address
unmet medical needs in patients with rare, life-threatening conditions.
The company’s lead product, ATryn, is the first and only plasma-free
antithrombin concentrate. ATryn received FDA approval in 2009 for the
prevention of peri-operative and peri-partum thromboembolic events in
hereditary antithrombin deficient patients. The company has a number of
products in its pipeline and is actively seeking additional indications
for its lead product.
About LFB Group
The LFB Group is a biopharmaceutical group
that develops, manufactures and markets medicinal products for the
treatment of serious and often rare diseases in several major
therapeutic fields, including hemostasis, immunology and intensive care.
The LFB Group is the leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicinal
products in France and sixth worldwide and is also among the leading
European companies for the development of new-generation medicinal
products or treatments based on biotechnologies. The LFB Group is
pursuing a growth strategy that seeks to extend its activities at the
international level and develop innovative therapies. To that end, the
LFB Group currently markets its products in more than 40 countries
around the world with a global turnover of €501.9 million in 2014.
Contacts
GOLIN
Sarah Rothe, 312-729-4006
SRothe@golin.com
