HyQvia Update for Patients and Families – Ontario

Earlier this year, Health Canada approved HyQvia®, a new immunoglobulin treatment for Canadians with immune deficiencies. HyQvia® is used in patients who do not have enough antibodies in their blood or have a weakened immune system. 

Dr. Stephen Betschel, Departmental Division Director of Clinical Immunology, from the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto, and member of Immunity Canada’s medical science advisory committee said:

“The approval by Health Canada of HyQvia® will hopefully add an additional and important option for patients who require immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Its availability would address unmet patient needs by providing a subcutaneous immunoglobulin administered therapy with a dosing regimen that is less frequent than currently available subcutaneous therapeutic options.”

 “Administering a treatment less frequently will likely give patients more flexibility and decrease the burden of treatment. As a treater of patients with immunodeficiencies, anything that can give patients more choice while providing a safe efficacious treatment is welcome news.”

Now that HyQvia is available to patients, Immunity Canada is pleased to offer informational webinars to our members across the country. This webinar will feature treating physicians, nurses, representatives from Takeda’s One Path patient support program, as well as the Canadian Blood Services and will include:

• An overview of the product/treatment method
• How the patient will benefit
• What training is needed to transition from IVIG to SCIG
• What support is available for patients
• A Q+A session for patients

The event is free but requires registration (see the Zoom link below). Can’t make the event? If you have a question, please still register and send your question to info@immunitycanada.org. We will ask your question to the panelists, and send a recording of the session to all those who registered for the event.

• Date: Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024
• Time: 12:00pm EST
• Location: Online
• Cost: Free

Zoom Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3LHPc0IcShqXKkVYy0CYOA

Panelist Information

Dr. Susan Waserman

Dr. Susan Waserman is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy at McMaster University and the Adverse Reactions Clinic at the Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health, St Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton. 

She is extensively involved in medical education in both academic and community settings, in addition to an active hospital-based clinical practice in adult and pediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Activities include practice guidelines in food allergy, allergic rhinitis, anaphylaxis, hereditary angioedema and urticaria.   

Her research interests include mechanisms and treatment of peanut allergy. She is Director of the inaugural Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, and holds the Schroeder Chair in Allergy and Immunology Research.

She is President of the Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation and past President of the Canadian and Ontario Societies of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. She is also Chair of the Medical and Scientific Committee of Asthma Canada, medical advisor to Food Allergy Canada and on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Hereditary Angioedema Network and Asthma Canada.

Nurse Crystal Allen

Crystal Allen graduated from the University of Ottawa with a BScN with academic honors in 2011 and has been working as a Registered Nurse at the Ottawa Hospital for the past 12 years. 

She is currently the Program Nurse Coordinator at the Ottawa Hospital for the Ontario Immunoglobulin Treatment (ONIT) program. The program’s goal is to standardize care across Ontario for patients receiving immunoglobulin (IG) treatment. 

Crystal started her career as a BMT/ Hematology and MDCU nurse where she gained extensive knowledge of IG therapy. She later then worked as an Immunology nurse out of an infectious disease clinic, helping build one of the biggest centers for immune deficiency care in Canada. Caring for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases. 

In 2019, she joined the ONIT program. Specializing in Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIG) treatment, providing teaching, training, and ongoing support for patients and families. Her experience and knowledge have invited her to present and share her expertise with other clinicians. Crystal actively continues to support and educate her nursing colleagues across Canada.

Dr. Sylvian Grenier, CD, B PHARM, PHARM D, FOPQ, FFIP

Dr Sylvain Grenier graduated from Université Laval, Québec with a Bachelor of Pharmacy.  He completed a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from University of Toronto.  He joined Canadian Blood Services in 2019 as the Director of the Plasma Protein and Related Products Program where he has been leading various initiatives to modernize the Formulary.  Prior to this, he served 28 years in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), holding various roles and positions as a military pharmacist and retiring as the National Practice Leader for pharmacy, responsible for the management of the Canadian Armed Forces drug program.  In addition of working in different military locations and positions in Canada, Sylvain deployed in Bosnia in 1999-2000 and Afghanistan in 2010.  After retiring from full-time active duty, he transferred in the Reserves where is still serves with the CAF on a part-time basis.

Dr Grenier is Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa and teaches Clinical Pharmacology for the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner program.  

ImmUnity Canada Disclaimer

ImmUnity Canada educational events offer an array of presentations, developed by healthcare professionals invited to serve as presenters, as well as patients. The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of ImmUnity Canada. The information presented during this event is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with questions concerning a medical condition.

About Zoom

Before joining a Zoom Get Connected Meeting on a computer or mobile device, you must download the Zoom software or app from the Zoom Download Center. The link will prompt you to download the Zoom application. Allow it to access your computer/phone microphone and camera. While it is quick to install, it is best to download and set up in advance of the social. If you have any issues please contact info@immunitycanada.org for further assistance.

Participant Confidentiality

If you do not want to share your name with the group, when you register on Zoom you do not have to enter your name. Also, if your name does show up on your Zoom screen, you, you can change your name using these instructions: Changing your name on Zoom – Zoom Support

This webinar series is sponsored by Takeda.