Biogen Idec and Sobi announced their pledge to donate one billion international units of hemophilia medication to the developing world.

The announcement, which came about at the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) 2014 World Congress, described how the companies will initially donate up to 500 million international units (IUs) within the next five years for humanitarian aid programs, with the remaining 500 million IUs to be made available for future distribution.

The sizable donation is anticipated to provide a sustained supply of factor therapy and improve the quality of patient care in the developing nations of the world.

Hemophilia is an inherited disorder that impairs a patient’s ability to clot blood, which can lead to extensive bleeding often resulting in death. Out of the estimated 400,000 people across the globe afflicted with this disorder, over 300,000 of them live in countries where access to adequate diagnosis and treatment is severely limited.

Those with severe hemophilia who do not have access to proper treatment often die before reaching adulthood.

With the donations provided by Biogen Idec and Sobi, physicians will be able to treat thousands of bleeding episodes and conduct elective surgery which wouldn’t be possible without clotting factor.

George A. Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Biogen Idec, is dedicated to helping those in the developing world deal with their hemophilia. “Hemophilia occurs all over the world, and this donation will provide some level of care to thousands of people who otherwise would not have access to treatment,” Scangos said in a statement.

Biogen Idec and Sobi have partnered up to develop and commercialize treatments for hemophilia. Biogen Idec has developing and commercialization rights in most regions of the world except for Sobi territory. Sobi’s rights extend to Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East and Russia.