Viral Safety

In the early 1980s, many people with hemophilia were infected with viruses like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus
(HCV) through clotting factors manufactured from contaminated blood products.¹⁹

Following this, changes in the production of clotting factor concentrates were quickly initiated. Additional plasma donor screening techniques helped
reduce viral contamination of blood products. Improved purification and eradication methods were implemented to remove and inactivate viral
contaminants from the clotting factor.²⁰

Since the early 1990s, recombinant clotting factors have been produced using recombinant DNA technology. Recombinant technology is designed to reduce the risk of viral contamination.

Recombinant products (for hemophilia as well as in other therapeutic areas) have been used without transmission of blood-borne viruses in the treatment of many hemophilia patients throughout the United States.²¹