DUBLIN, Ireland, July 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horizon Pharma plc (NASDAQ:HZNP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs, today introduced CGD Connections, an initiative by and for people impacted by chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a rare genetic disease that weakens the immune system and can lead to repeated, severe infections.1,2
Horizon partnered with people living with CGD, their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals, as well as advocacy organizations, to create CGD Connections. This multi-faceted online platform provides disease and treatment information, offers tips for managing everyday life and fosters connection among the community across CGDConnections.com and the CGD Connections Facebook page. The site also links families to leading organizations including the Immune Deficiency Foundation and its LivingWithCGD.org website, as well as the Jeffrey Modell Foundation.
“Having CGD can be scary and can feel isolating,” shared Randall G., who lives with CGD and participated in one of Horizon’s workgroups. “CGD Connections provides a place to connect with those who know what it’s like to have or care for someone who has CGD, and includes information to help on the typical days as well as how to find strength to tackle the hard ones. Collaborating with other CGD families in the development of this initiative raised shared challenges and led to the creation of resources that we hope will inspire and provide support for those at every stage of their CGD journey.”
For people living with CGD, the body’s immune system is unable to fight off serious infections from bacteria and fungi.1,2 CGD is characterized by chronic inflammatory response, resulting in the formation of small areas of inflamed tissue (granulomas) and other inflammatory disorders.3 Approximately one in 200,000 people in the United States are born with CGD.1
“As a patient and parent to a child with a rare disease, I am determined to not let others go through the same frustrations and feeling of being alone,” said Gail Moore, director, patient advocacy, Horizon Pharma plc. “By building CGD Connections with the community, we are able to deliver a place that fosters connection and ensures resources speak authentically to the realities individuals face in their journey with CGD.”
About Horizon Pharma plc
Horizon Pharma plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs. The Company markets 11 medicines through its orphan, rheumatology and primary care business units. For more information, please visit www.horizonpharma.com. Follow @HZNPplc on Twitter or view careers on our LinkedIn page.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future impact and success of CGD Connections. These forward-looking statements are based on management expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and actual results may differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include whether CGD Connections will be utilized and will operate as expected, as well as those factors described in Horizon Pharma's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in those filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Horizon Pharma does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.
References:
- Winkelstein, J, et al. “Chronic Granulomatous Disease: Report on a National Registry of 368 Patients.” Medicine. 79.3 (2000): 155-169. Web. 29
- "Ch. 15: Chronic Granulomatous Disease and Other Phagocytic Cell Disorders.” Immune Deficiency Foundation Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases, 5th Edition. (2013): 81-88. Web. 29 Oct 2015.
- Leiding JW, et al. “Chronic Granulomatous Disease.” In: Pagon RA, et al., editors. GeneReviews. Web. 29 Oct 2015.