FDA approves protein injection for rare blood disease: 3 things to know

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved CSL Behring's injection to prevent hereditary angiodema attacks.

Here are three things to know.

1. Hereditary angiodema is a rare, inherited blood disorder where the body does not make enough plasma protein called C1-esterase inhibitor. The disease can cause rapid swelling attacks of the limbs, face, intestinal tract and airway.
   
   

2. CSL Behring's drug, Haegarda, is the first self-administered C1 esterase inhibitor injected under the skin to prevent these swelling attacks before they occur.
   
   

3. Haegarda contains a freeze-dried version of the plasma protein, derived from the plasma of U.S. organ donors.