Takeda aims to increase awareness and improve diagnosis of rare genetic disease
Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Private Limited, a global biopharmaceutical leader, has launched a patient support program called Sunrise to help Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) patients in India. HAE is a rare genetic disease that can be life-threatening and affects various parts of the body, including the limbs, hands, feet, genitals, abdomen, face, and throat. Patients often experience bouts of excruciating abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting caused by swelling in the intestinal wall. Airway swelling is particularly dangerous and can lead to death by asphyxiation.
Sunrise program provides free testing, treatment support, and counselling services
The Sunrise program is built on four elements, including awareness, screening and diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance support. An independent patient services agency funded by Takeda will implement the program, which includes field counseling, tele-support services, free HAE testing through quality diagnostic labs, treatment reimbursement navigation, and lifestyle counseling support throughout the patient’s treatment journey.
HAE is grossly under-recognized in India due to a lack of awareness and diagnostic facilities. Approximately 50% of HAE patients receive more than one misdiagnosis in their lifetimes, and 50% of patients experience a delay of over ten years from the onset of symptoms to the correct diagnosis. Early diagnosis is often not carried out due to a lack of epidemiological data in India, and patients continue suffering for the entirety of their lives. With the introduction of Sunrise, Takeda hopes to positively impact the quality of life for HAE patients in India.
The patient-service program has also set up a toll-free helpline number to provide adequate counseling, which will help track the patient’s symptoms and prompt diagnosis for better health outcomes and improved lifestyle.
HAE affects approximately one in 50,000 people worldwide. In India, HAE is grossly under-recognized and misdiagnosed, and patients experience a high delay from the onset of symptoms impacting the treatment process. HAE can be life-threatening in severe cases, especially when it attacks the larynx or trachea. It is imperative to raise awareness of HAE and its early diagnosis to initiate effective treatment and improve the quality of life for patients.
Hereditary Angioedema affects approximately 1 in 50,000 people worldwide and is often misdiagnosed in India
HAE is often misdiagnosed as allergic/non-allergic angioedema, peptic ulcers, etc., which could directly impact a patient’s overall well-being. One in five HAE patients also undergoes unnecessary surgeries such as appendectomies. 20-25% of HAE cases are new mutations with no family history, and 50% of patients will have 31 laryngeal attack in their lifetime. The lifespan of individuals with undiagnosed HAE who die from laryngeal attacks is on average 31 years shorter than undiagnosed patients who die from other causes.
Takeda’s Sunrise program aims to advance healthcare standards and enhance the quality of life in the world of HAE where awareness is limited, leading to preventable morbidity and mortality. The company intends to create a positive impact on patients’ lives by increasing awareness of HAE, access to free-of-cost diagnostics, and empowering HAE patients to access their treatments with ease and manage their lifestyle comfortably to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
