Striking a Balance: How One Patient Manages Hemophilia On and Off the Lanes

(BPT) - Article is sponsored and developed by Sanofi. Chris was compensated bySanofi.

Each year on April 17, World Hemophilia Day shines a light on the experiences of people living with bleeding disorders - and the meaningful progress being made in treatment and care. For Chris, who has lived with hemophilia A since childhood, managing his condition has always been woven into the fabric of everyday life. Like many living with the condition, his treatment schedule once shaped everything from travel plans to family time.

"I've always tried to live an active life," said Chris. "Growing up, hemophilia was always something I had to manage - from learning how to treat bleeds at a young age to staying on top of my infusions as I got older. I bowl competitively and travel quite a bit, so treatment has always been something I had to plan around. For me, it was important that my infusion schedule didn't impact my ability to do the things that I loved."

Understanding Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder that affects the body's ability to form blood clots. In the United States, approximately 33,000 males live with hemophilia.¹ In both main types - hemophilia A and B - the blood does not clot properly, which can lead to spontaneous internal bleeding as well as excessive bleeding after injuries or surgery.¹

Managing hemophilia typically requires lifelong care to help prevent bleeding episodes. Historically, many treatment regimens required frequent - sometimes daily - dosing, often involving intravenous infusions with specific requirements for storage, preparation and administration.² Over time, these routines could add up to a significant burden, influencing work schedules, travel plans and the rhythms of daily life.

A Different Approach

For Chris, those challenges became increasingly real as he moved from childhood into adulthood and navigated different treatment approaches over the years.

"One of my earliest memories was learning the hard way how important it is to stay on top of treatment," he said. "I had a serious bleed when I was younger that required hospitalization, and that really stuck with me."

That experience stayed with him as he got older and took on more responsibility for managing his care. Over time, the demands of frequent infusions became harder to maintain.

"At one point my schedule required infusions five days a week," he said. "That's when I started missing infusions. It can be a lot to keep up with, and over time it really takes a toll on your veins."

As his treatment schedule became harder to manage, Chris began exploring whether there might be a different path forward, one that could better fit his lifestyle.

After learning about other options and discussing them with his doctor, Chris decided to try Qfitlia^® (fitusiran), a therapy designed for routine prophylaxis in people 12 years and older with hemophilia A or B with or without inhibitors. Qfitlia can cause serious side effects, including abnormal blood clotting (thrombotic events), gallbladder disease, and liver problems. The most common side effects of Qfitlia include viral infection, common cold symptoms, and bacterial infection. Patients should talk with their healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of treatment.

Qfitlia works by lowering antithrombin, a protein that normally slows blood clotting. By reducing antithrombin levels, the therapy helps increase thrombin generation and restore the body's ability to form clots. The treatment uses small-interfering RNA technology and may be administered as few as six times per year using a prefilled pen or vial and syringe.³

For Chris, one of the most noticeable differences has been how his treatment schedule fits into daily life.

"I travel a lot for bowling tournaments and to visit family," Chris said. "There were times in the past when I needed an entire suitcase just to bring my treatment supplies. While the mental load was something that I was used to, the physical burden of traveling with that much baggage was tough to deal with."

Today, he says planning around treatment feels simpler and more flexible.

"When you don't have to think about preventative treatment as often, it gives you more freedom to focus on the things you enjoy," he said. "Knowing I may only need preventative treatment as few as six times a year makes a big difference - especially when I'm traveling."

This summer, he's looking forward to taking trips with his daughter without having to pack and plan around multiple preventative doses or carry the extra supplies that once filled an entire suitcase.

Looking Towards the Future

Chris believes progress in hemophilia care is helping people live fuller, more active lives.

"I think everyone in the hemophilia community is hoping to minimize the impact treatment has on their lives as much as possible," he said. "The fewer times you have to stop and think about preventative treatment, the more you can focus on living your life."

His experience has also shaped the way he talks about hemophilia with his daughter, who is also living with the condition.

Chris also urges others living with hemophilia to feel comfortable talking with their healthcare team about treatment options.

"Everyone's situation is different," he said. "But talking openly with your doctor about your treatment plan can help you find something that fits your life."

To learn more about Qfitlia, please visit www.qfitlia.com

Indication and Important Safety Information

Indication

Qfitlia^® (fitusiran) is a prescription medicine used for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults and children 12 years and older with hemophilia A or B with or without Factor VIII or IX inhibitors.

It is not known if Qfitlia is safe and effective in children younger than 12 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Qfitlia can cause SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, including:

• Abnormal blood clotting (thrombotic events): Serious blood clots have occurred in people treated with Qfitlia. Qfitlia can cause blood clots to form in the blood vessels in your arms, legs, lungs, heart, brain, eyes, or head. Your risk of blood clots is greater if your antithrombin (AT) blood level is persistently less than 15% or if you have certain other conditions. Your healthcare provider (HCP) will check your AT blood levels before and during treatment with Qfitlia
• Gallbladder disease: Qfitlia can cause gallstones and inflammation of your gallbladder, which might require surgery to remove your gallbladder. Tell your HCP right away if you develop stomach pain, indigestion, nausea, or vomiting. Your HCP may temporarily or permanently stop Qfitlia if you develop any of these symptoms

What is the most important information I should know about Qfitlia?
Qfitlia helps your blood form clots. Do not stop using Qfitlia without talking to your HCP. If you miss doses or stop using Qfitlia, you may no longer be protected against bleeding.

Use of a clotting factor concentrate (CFC) or bypassing agent (BPA) to help protect against bleeding must be stopped within 7 days after your first dose of Qfitlia.

Your HCP may prescribe on-demand CFC or BPA if you bleed during treatment with Qfitlia. Carefully follow your HCP's instructions regarding when to use on-demand treatment with CFC or BPA, including the prescribed dose and timing of the CFC or BPA.

Get medical help right away if you get any of these signs or symptoms of blood clots during or after treatment with Qfitlia:

• Swelling, pain, or redness in arms or legs
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Severe chest pain or tightness of the chest
• Fast heart rate
• Feeling faint or passing out
• Severe or persistent headache
• Difficulty speaking or understanding language
• Feeling confused
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs
• Sudden loss or changes in your vision, eye pain, or swelling

What are the possible side effects of Qfitlia?

• Qfitlia can cause other serious side effects, including an increase in your blood liver enzymes. Your HCP will do blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment with Qfitlia
• The most common side effects of Qfitlia include viral infection, common cold symptoms, and bacterial infection

These are not all the possible side effects of Qfitlia.

What should I tell my HCP before using Qfitlia?

• Tell your HCP about all of your medical conditions, including if you have liver problems, a history of gallbladder disease, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• Females who are able to become pregnant: Hormonal birth control may increase your risk of blood clots if used during treatment with Qfitlia. Talk to your HCP about effective forms of non-hormonal birth control you can use before starting and during treatment with Qfitlia
• Tell your HCP about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements

Please see fullPrescribing Information, including SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, andMedication Guide.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data and Statistics on Hemophilia. https://www.cdc.gov/hemophilia/data-research/index.html. Accessed March 2026
2. World Federation of Hemophilia. WFH Guidelines for the Management ofHemophilia, 3rd Edition.2020. https://www1.wfh.org/publications/files/ pdf-1863.pdf. Accessed March 2026.
3. Qfitlia Prescribing Information. Genzyme Corporation. Cambridge, MA.

© 2026 Sanofi. All rights reserved. Qfitlia and Sanofi are registered trademarks of Sanofi or an affiliate. MAT-US-2603143-v1.0-04/2026