Leading The Research Effort On Von Willebrand Disease, 100 Years After It Was First Described | NSW Health Pathology
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:22
Leading The Research Effort On Von Willebrand Disease, 100 Years After It Was First Described | NSW Health Pathology
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Leading the research effort on von Willebrand disease, 100 years after it was first described
Leading the research effort on von Willebrand disease, 100 years after it was first described
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17th April, 2026
This year marks a century since the initial identification of VWD – a bleeding disorder thought to be more common than haemophilia. Today on World Haemophilia Day, we meet world leading VWD researcher, NSW Health Pathology’s Professor Emmanuel Favaloro.
Every year on 17 April,
World Haemophilia Day
is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other inherited bleeding disorders.
The World Federation for Hemophilia (WFH) estimates that over 75% of people living with haemophilia worldwide
have not yet been identified and diagnosed
. There are several types of haemophilia, with the most common being Haemophilia A (marked deficiency in clotting factor VIII) followed by Haemophilia B (marked deficiency in clotting factor IX).
The diagnostic situation for VWD, a bleeding disorder believed to be more common than haemophilia, is
globally known to be even worse than that for haemophilia
. VWD is due to a marked deficiency in a haemostatic protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF).
NSW Health Pathology utilises a contemporary panel of laboratory assays to aide in the diagnosis of both haemophilia and VWD, with these tests being harmonised across different laboratories within the network. Much of this work
has been led by one of our Principal Scientists, Professor Emmanuel J Favaloro
, based at Westmead Hospital.
Professor Favaloro has published over 130 papers on VWD. The year 2026 marks the 100-year anniversary of the recognition of VWD. Prof Erik von Willebrand published his seminal work in 1926, although he called his newly identified bleeding disorder “Hereditar pseudoemophili” (or “hereditary pseudohemophilia”).
Leading Haematology researcher Prof Emmanuel Favaloro.
Professor Favaloro has been
ranked by ScholarGPS to be within the top 5 in the world
for his work on VWD, and
number one in the world for the field of hemostasis
.
“The theme of World Haemophilia Day this year is ‘Diagnosis: First Step to Care’. Here at NSW Health Pathology our focus is on improving disease diagnosis of people in NSW, but also geographically more widely due to dissemination of world best practice from our world-renowned scientists and pathologists,” Professor Favaloro said.
“This year being the 100 year anniversary of the initial identification of VWD, we aim to provide greater access to care for the large number of people living with haemophilia, or VWD, or indeed any bleeding disorder, who are yet to be identified or properly diagnosed.
“Through my research, I hope to bring improved diagnosis and thus also treatment options to people living with bleeding disorders and help improve their quality of life.
“Although bleeding disorders can lead to serious complications, a diagnosis need not prevent people from living a normal life.”
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Transfusion
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NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.
Aboriginal Workforce Development
Closing the Gap
NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.
Aboriginal Workforce Development
Closing the Gap
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A NSW Government website
Find a collection centre
We accept all referrals
Payments
Contact us
A NSW Government website
Quick links
Find a collection centre
Payments
We accept all referrals
Contact us
Home
Newsroom
Leading the research effort on von Willebrand disease, 100 years after it was first described
Leading the research effort on von Willebrand disease, 100 years after it was first described
SHARE
In this story
Media Contact
NSW Health Pathology
Media Manager
Related News
Related News
Pathology collections now available from Kensington Street Building at St George Hospital
21st April, 2026
Our People
News
Pre and Post-Analytics
Leading the research effort on von Willebrand disease, 100 years after it was first described
17th April, 2026
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Our People
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16th April, 2026
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Careers
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Microbiology
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Leadership
News
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27th March, 2026
News
Our People
Pathology
Strategy & Transformation
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17th March, 2026
News
Public Health Pathology
Want to know when we publish new articles, events and videos? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Newsroom Form
"
*
" indicates required fields
17th April, 2026
This year marks a century since the initial identification of VWD – a bleeding disorder thought to be more common than haemophilia. Today on World Haemophilia Day, we meet world leading VWD researcher, NSW Health Pathology’s Professor Emmanuel Favaloro.
Every year on 17 April,
World Haemophilia Day
is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia, von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other inherited bleeding disorders.
The World Federation for Hemophilia (WFH) estimates that over 75% of people living with haemophilia worldwide
have not yet been identified and diagnosed
. There are several types of haemophilia, with the most common being Haemophilia A (marked deficiency in clotting factor VIII) followed by Haemophilia B (marked deficiency in clotting factor IX).
The diagnostic situation for VWD, a bleeding disorder believed to be more common than haemophilia, is
globally known to be even worse than that for haemophilia
. VWD is due to a marked deficiency in a haemostatic protein called von Willebrand factor (VWF).
NSW Health Pathology utilises a contemporary panel of laboratory assays to aide in the diagnosis of both haemophilia and VWD, with these tests being harmonised across different laboratories within the network. Much of this work
has been led by one of our Principal Scientists, Professor Emmanuel J Favaloro
, based at Westmead Hospital.
Professor Favaloro has published over 130 papers on VWD. The year 2026 marks the 100-year anniversary of the recognition of VWD. Prof Erik von Willebrand published his seminal work in 1926, although he called his newly identified bleeding disorder “Hereditar pseudoemophili” (or “hereditary pseudohemophilia”).
Leading Haematology researcher Prof Emmanuel Favaloro.
Professor Favaloro has been
ranked by ScholarGPS to be within the top 5 in the world
for his work on VWD, and
number one in the world for the field of hemostasis
.
“The theme of World Haemophilia Day this year is ‘Diagnosis: First Step to Care’. Here at NSW Health Pathology our focus is on improving disease diagnosis of people in NSW, but also geographically more widely due to dissemination of world best practice from our world-renowned scientists and pathologists,” Professor Favaloro said.
“This year being the 100 year anniversary of the initial identification of VWD, we aim to provide greater access to care for the large number of people living with haemophilia, or VWD, or indeed any bleeding disorder, who are yet to be identified or properly diagnosed.
“Through my research, I hope to bring improved diagnosis and thus also treatment options to people living with bleeding disorders and help improve their quality of life.
“Although bleeding disorders can lead to serious complications, a diagnosis need not prevent people from living a normal life.”
Topics
News
Our People
Research
Transfusion
Want to know when we publish new articles, events and videos? Subscribe to our newsletter
Newsroom Form
"
*
" indicates required fields
Connect with us
NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.
Aboriginal Workforce Development
Closing the Gap
NSW Health Pathology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land across NSW whose cultures and customs have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. We would like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the state.
Aboriginal Workforce Development
Closing the Gap
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