As a result of the successful cooperation of Rhei Life and US based manufacturer, Amenal Pharmaceuticals, a rare disease medicine Trientine became available to the Serbian patients suffering from Wilson disease.

Wilson disease is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by excess copper stored in various body tissues, particularly the liver, brain, and eye corneas. Wilson disease (hepatolenticular degeneration) is an autosomal inherited metabolic defect resulting in the inability to maintain a near-zero balance of copper. Excess copper possibly accumulates because the liver lacks the mechanism to excrete free copper into the bile. Hepatocytes store excess copper but when their capacity is exceeded, copper is released into the blood and is taken up into extrahepatic sites. The disease is progressive and, if left untreated, it may cause liver (hepatic) disease, central nervous system dysfunction, and death. It is believed that Wilson disease occurs in approximately one in 30,000 to 40,000 people worldwide.

„ In Serbia, Trientine is not registered with the National Drug Agency, but being on the National Health Fund reimbursement list, it was possible to import it as a non-registered medicine. We are proud of this cooperation since we have made enormous efforts for patients to have the right treatment of this rare disease “, said David Stakić, Unregistered Medicines Division Manager.