Global harmonisation in the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders relies on the availability of WHO International Standards (IS) which define the International Unit (IU) for coagulation factors and related therapeutics. NIBSC has a long history in this area beginning in the 1970s with the establishment of the WHO 1st IS for Factor VIII Concentrate which was developed to quantify and harmonise the potency of concentrated preparations of coagulation factor VIII. Since then over 40 different WHO IS have been established to support diagnostics and therapeutics in all areas of haemostasis.
Enquiries on WHO International Standards: enquiries@nibsc.org Standards catalogue: https://www.nibsc.org/products/brm_product_catalogue.aspx
Newly Established Standards in 2017-19
FVIII:C, FVIII:Ag, VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo, VWF propeptide VWF:collagen binding
IS – International Standard; IRP – International Reference Panel; RR – Reference Reagent