NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chiasma, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHMA), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced its support for Rare Disease Day 2016. In honor of Rare Disease Day, President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Leuchtenberger will join local patients, caregivers, policymakers and supporters at the Massachusetts State House today to raise awareness about under-recognized, under-treated and life-threatening illnesses.
“At Chiasma, we are committed to developing and commercializing new treatments for rare diseases that address unmet patient needs,” said Mr. Leuchtenberger. “This year’s ‘Patient Voice’ theme for Rare Disease Day conveys that there is strength in numbers and recognizes the crucial role that patients play in driving change that not only improves their lives but also those of their families and caregivers. I look forward to speaking today with patients, their families and other industry and governmental leaders about how we can continue to shine the light on and advance the treatment options for rare diseases such as acromegaly.”
To foster an organic patient community for those affected by acromegaly, Chiasma worked alongside patients and advocates to launch Acromegaly.care, an educational website that provides practical information and tools for patients and their loved ones. Beginning today, in order to promote acromegaly awareness, a photo sharing campaign entitled “Snap. Support. Share.” was launched on Acromegaly.care. Visit Acromegaly.care to view the contest rules, plus tips and tricks for posting a photo to Twitter and Instagram.
“Since its launch in late 2015, Acromegaly.care has provided patients and their caregivers with a unique and much needed outlet to share their challenges and stories of hope,” said Jill Sisco, president of the Acromegaly Community. “This new resource is generating a real buzz among those living with this rare disease and continues to build momentum.”
Rare Disease Day takes place on the last day of February each year. The main objective of the event is to raise awareness amongst the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on patients’ lives. To learn more about Rare Disease Day, please visit: www.rarediseaseday.us.
About Acromegaly
Acromegaly typically develops when a benign tumor of the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone (GH), ultimately leading to significant health problems and early death if untreated. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, acromegaly occurs in approximately 60 people per million in the U.S. In addition, researchers estimate that three to four out of every million people develop acromegaly each year. Because symptoms often develop slowly, diagnosis may be delayed by years or decades, making it difficult to determine the total number of people with the disease.
Common features of acromegaly are facial changes, intense headaches, joint pain, impaired vision and enlargement of the hands, feet, tongue and internal organs. Serious health conditions associated with the progression of acromegaly include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders and cardiac and cerebrovascular disease.
Current treatment options include surgery to remove the pituitary tumor, radiation therapy which destroys any lingering tumor cells and/or medical treatment in cases where these approaches are not possible or fully effective. Today's medical treatments include dopamine agonists, GH antagonists and injectable somatostatin analogs, the current standard of care.
About Chiasma
Chiasma is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients suffering from orphan diseases by developing and commercializing novel oral forms of therapies that are available today only by injection. The company’s lead product candidate is Mycapssa™ (octreotide) capsules, a new investigational drug for the orphan condition acromegaly, developed with Chiasma’s Transient Permeability Enhancer (TPE®) technology to facilitate gastrointestinal absorption of unmodified drug into the bloodstream safely. Mycapssa™ is a proposed tradename, and this new investigational drug has not been approved for use in any jurisdiction. Using TPE® technology, Chiasma is evaluating additional proteins, peptides and small molecule drugs that are currently only available by injection, but could potentially be converted to oral delivery. TPE® technology is potentially well suited for drugs with chronic indications, where frequent dosing is required and the need for an oral alternative is greatest. Chiasma is a Delaware corporation with a wholly owned Israeli subsidiary. Mycapssa™ and TPE® are trademarks of Chiasma.
Additional information can be found at www.ChiasmaPharma.com.
Online Resources
Readers should note that Chiasma communicates with investors and the public using its website (www.ChiasmaPharma.com) and its investor relations website (http://ir.chiasmapharma.com), including but not limited to company disclosures; investor presentations and FAQs; Securities and Exchange Commission filings; press releases; public conference calls and webcasts. The information that the company posts on these websites could be deemed to be material information. As a result, Chiasma encourages investors, the media, and others interested to review the information that is posted there on a regular basis. The contents of the company’s website shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.