Parma (Italy), Feb. 6, 2020 – Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., an international research-focused healthcare Group (Chiesi Group), today announced the formation of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a new business unit that will harness the full resources of the Chiesi Group to advance research and new product development for rare and ultra-rare diseases. The unit will be headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and have an initial focus on research and product development in lysosomal storage disorders and rare haematology and ophthalmology disorders.
“Chiesi has a long history of success in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies to address unmet needs for people living with rare diseases. With the Chiesi Global Rare Diseases unit, we are taking this to an entirely new level – rededicating and strengthening our efforts to support individuals and families affected by rare diseases all around the world,” said Giacomo Chiesi, Head of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases. “We are officially launching the division in advance of the WORLDSymposium, one of the most important annual meetings focused on rare diseases. During the meeting, we look forward to connecting with many members of the lysosomal storage disorder and broader rare disease communities to outline our hopes and goals for the division and identify opportunities for us to collaborate in research and patient advocacy.”
Chiesi Group markets treatments for the lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) alpha‑mannosidosis and nephropathic cystinosis in select markets outside the U.S. The company is also building and advancing a pipeline of innovative therapies for the treatment of LSDs and other rare diseases. In January 2020, Chiesi Group announced an agreement with Apotex, Inc. for the acquisition of worldwide rights to Ferriprox® (deferiprone) for the treatment of patients with transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia syndromes. In 2018, Chiesi also acquired rights to market pegunigalsidase alfa (or PRX-102) in the U.S. for the treatment of Fabry disease. In February 2019, Chiesi also joined the Corporate Council of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
“We are very encouraged by the response to the establishment of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases from both the advocacy and treatment communities. We are dedicated to making rapid progress in our research and development programs and to being an active partner in opportunities to support patients and families,” said Mr. Chiesi, adding, “There are more than 7,000 rare diseases and for the vast majority there are no treatments available. We are very excited to put Chiesi’s decades of experience in drug development and dedication to patients to work to make a positive difference in the treatment of many rare diseases in the years ahead.”
Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is a business unit of the Chiesi Group established in February 2020 and focused on research and development of treatments for rare and ultra-rare disorders. The Global Rare Diseases unit works in collaboration with Chiesi Group to harness the full resources and capabilities of our global network to bring innovative new treatment options to people living with rare diseases, many of whom have limited or no treatments available. The unit is also a dedicated partner with global leaders in patient advocacy, research and patient care.
Based in Parma, Italy, Chiesi Farmaceutici is an international research-focused healthcare group with 85 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a global presence in 29 countries. Chiesi researches, develops, and markets innovative drugs in the respiratory therapeutics, specialist medicine, and rare disease areas. Its R&D organization is headquartered in Parma (Italy), and is integrated with R&D groups in France, the USA, the UK, and Sweden to advance Chiesi's pre-clinical, clinical, and registration programs. Chiesi employs nearly 6000 people. Chiesi Group is a certified Benefit corporation. For more information, please visit www.chiesi.com
Media Contacts:
Valentina Biagini
Senior Group Communication Manager, Chiesi Group
Phone – +39 348 7693 623
Email – v.biagini@chiesi.com
Jenna Urban
Berry & Company Public Relations
Phone – 1 212 253 8881
Email – jurban@berrypr.com
