Chiesi Joins National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)® Corporate Council

Partnership supports Chiesi USA presence in global rare disease market

CARY, N.C., Feb. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chiesi USA (key-A-zee), a specialty pharmaceutical company, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)®, a nonprofit patient advocacy organization committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare disorders, today announced that Chiesi has joined NORD’s Corporate Council. The announcement comes as part of Chiesi’s global effort to build relationships in the rare disease community.   

“Chiesi is thrilled to join NORD’s Corporate Council as we continue to expand our global footprint in rare disease,” said Ken McBean, Chiesi USA President and Chief Executive Officer. “This alignment further demonstrates our commitment to help people with rare disorders by providing support through research, education and advocacy in hopes of one day finding a cure.”

The partnership with NORD is Chiesi’s latest move to grow its presence in rare diseases. Last year, the company entered into an exclusive U.S. license and supply agreement with Protalix, an Israel-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by their proprietary ProCellEx® protein expression system. Under the agreement, Chiesi completed the acquisition of worldwide rights to an investigational product PRX-102 (pegunigalsidase alfa), a chemically modified version of the plant protein alpha-Galactosidase-A, investigated for the proposed treatment of Fabry disease. In addition, Chiesi is actively working to develop velmanase alfa, a candidate enzyme replacement therapy for the proposed treatment of non-neurological manifestations in patients with mild to moderate alpha-mannosidosis. The therapy is currently marketed in 31 European countries under the trade name Lamzede®. PRX-102 (pegunigalsidase alfa) and velmanase alfa are investigational drug candidates in the United States. The effectiveness and safety have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA.

The NORD Corporate Council is composed of a select group of leading companies committed to helping people with rare diseases. Members include pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies that are developing or marketing therapeutic or diagnostics products, as well as companies that are engaged in other aspects of healthcare for the rare disease community. Through its membership on the Council, Chiesi will have the unique opportunity to engage with peers in the rare disease community, including top scientific, clinical and policy experts and leaders from around the world. In addition, Chiesi employees will participate in various working groups that include federal policy, state policy and patient advocacy and engagement.

About Chiesi USA
Chiesi USA Inc, headquartered in Cary, N.C., is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercialization of products for the hospital, rare disease and target office-based specialties. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of family-owned Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, a global R&D-focused pharmaceutical company based in Parma, Italy. In the United States, the company is focused on delivering therapies and enhancing care for patients in the acute cardiovascular, neonatology, cystic fibrosis and rare disease communities.

Recognized as a benefit corporation, Chiesi is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its communities through its employee-led corporate social responsibility program, Chiesi in the Community. Innovation, collaboration and impact are the cornerstones of the Chiesi culture. For more information, visit www.chiesiusa.com.

Contacts
Media: FleishmanHillard, Elizabeth Romero, +1-919-457-0749, elizabeth.romero@fleishman.com
Business Development: Josh Franklin, +1-919-678-6520, josh.franklin@chiesi.com

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