Pulmonary embolism is a disease that primarily affects young people, especially women, with the peak incidence occurring between the ages of 30-40, although it can also occur at a later age. Patients are categorized based on function levels and risk levels ranging from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest).
After a decade of no developments in the treatment of pulmonary embolism, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug sotatracept as the first in the world to treat the disease itself, rather than just alleviate symptoms. Sotatracept has a unique mechanism of action that inhibits the component “activin,” changing the mechanism of cells driving the disease.
This breakthrough drug offers patients improvements beyond existing treatments, improving survival rates, delaying disease progression, and reducing the risk of worsening disease or death by approximately 84%. The Ministry of Health typically approves drugs that have passed FDA approval after receiving research findings from the company.
“Pulmonary hypertension is a serious disease with a significant risk to life,” says Prof. Mordechai Kramer, director of the pulmonary department at Blinson Hospital. The new drug brings significant advancements to patients who have not found balance with existing treatments.