Mar 6, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

National Pharmaceutical Council Welcomes Four Biopharmaceutical Companies as Members

National Pharmaceutical Council Welcomes Four Biopharmaceutical Companies as Members

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Pharmaceutical Council, a health policy research organization based in Washington, DC, today welcomed four biopharmaceutical companies to its growing membership roster. They include AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Horizon Pharma plc. and Spark Therapeutics, Inc.

"NPC's research-first approach to tackling health system challenges is more important now than ever in today's era of transformative medicine," said Dan Leonard, NPC President. "We're pleased that these four companies have joined NPC in support of our efforts to undertake research in answer to pressing questions, such as how we use and communicate real-world evidence, ensure access to innovative medicines and advance our aging payment and delivery systems, to name a few."

    --  AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that
        focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of
        prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three
        main therapy areas--oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and
        respiratory. The company also is selectively active in the areas of
        autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over
        100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of
        patients worldwide. Greg Keenan, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs and
        U.S. Head Medical Officer, will represent AstraZeneca on NPC's Board.


    --  Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops
        and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical
        need. The company's therapeutic areas of focus include HIV/AIDS, liver
        diseases, hematology and oncology, inflammatory and respiratory diseases
        and cardiovascular conditions. Gilead has operations in more than 35
        countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Coy
        A. Stout, II, Vice President, Managed Markets, will serve on NPC's
        Board.


    --  Horizon Pharma plc. is focused on researching, developing and
        commercializing innovative medicines that address unmet treatment needs
        for rare and rheumatic diseases. By fostering a growing pipeline of
        medicines in development and exploring all potential uses for currently
        marketed medicines, Horizon strives to make a powerful difference for
        patients, their caregivers and physicians. Eric Mosbrooker, Senior Vice
        President, Orphan Business Unit, will be the Board representative.

    --  Spark Therapeutics, a fully integrated company committed to discovering,
        developing and delivering gene therapies, thrives to challenge the
        inevitability of genetic diseases, including blindness, hemophilia and
        neurodegenerative diseases. Spark's technology resulted in the first
        FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease in the U.S. The company
        currently has three investigational programs in clinical trials,
        including product candidates that have shown promising early results in
        patients with hemophilia. Joseph W. La Barge, Chief Legal Officer, will
        be Spark's representative on NPC's Board.

These companies join 20 others in membership at a time when NPC's work is especially relevant. NPC is currently leading a research-first dialogue, Going Below the Surface, to address difficult questions related to how well we are investing our health care dollars. For more information, visit goingbelowthesurface.org and follow the conversation on Twitter via @npcnow and #GoingBelowTheSurface.


About the National Pharmaceutical Council
The National Pharmaceutical Council is a health policy research organization dedicated to the advancement of good evidence and science, and to fostering an environment in the United States that supports medical innovation. Founded in 1953 and supported by the nation's major research-based pharmaceutical companies, NPC focuses on research development, information dissemination and education on the critical issues of evidence, innovation and the value of medicines for patients. For more information, visit www.npcnow.org and follow NPC on Twitter @npcnow.

CONTACT: Andrea Hofelich, ahofelich@npcnow.org, 202-827-2078

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SOURCE National Pharmaceutical Council