LACHEN, Switzerland, February 16 /PRNewswire/ -- - Octapharma to Set New Standards in IVIG Development, Focused on Improving Outcomes For Patients and Physicians Octapharma AG today announced the start of the first of a series of Phase III studies for its new 10% high purity intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The study will investigate the efficacy and safety of this novel immunoglobulin in the treatment of primary immune deficiency and, together with results from additional upcoming studies, will support its regulatory filing in Europe and the US. Commenting on the start of the study, Kim Björnstrup, Deputy Chairman of Octapharma Group said, "The development of our novel 10% IVIG is part of our ongoing commitment to invest in the development of protein based immunotherapies and in particular in IgG preparations.

The risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) may be reduced by about 40 percent in patients previously treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) according to a study presented today at the 10th International Hong Kong/Springfield Pan-Asian Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy.

At today's meeting of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability, Nebraska State Senator Abbie Cornett will announce the formation of the Alliance for Plasma Therapies.

To prevent patients from losing complete access to their life-sustaining, life-saving IVIG therapy, the community's advocacy organizations whose patients rely on IVIG, physicians who treat these patients, manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, and group purchasing organizations, together have achieved unprecedented consensus on a proposal to reform reimbursement for IVIG.