SAN DIEGO (February 29, 2016) - Retrophin, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTRX) today joins patients and their advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, public health authorities, and the biopharmaceutical industry in recognizing Rare Disease Day. The global observance aims to raise awareness of rare diseases and the daily challenges faced by people living with these disorders, including an estimated 30 million people in the U.S. and Europe, respectfully.
Diseases diagnosed in fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S. and up to 245,000 in the EU are defined as rare. Eighty percent of rare diseases have genetic origins and approximately half affect children.
"We are proud to support Rare Disease Day and dedicated to doing our part to increase awareness of the profound impact these disorders have on millions of people worldwide - today and every day," said Stephen Aselage, chief executive officer of Retrophin.
Internationally, the observance is led by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and in the U.S. by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
Rare Disease Day is held annually on the last day of February, and 2016 marks the ninth year of its observance. For more information, visit http://www.rarediseaseday.org/ or www.rarediseaseday.us.
About EURORDIS
EURORDIS is a non-governmental patient-driven alliance of 606 rare disease patient organizations in 56 countries. EURORDIS strives to build a strong pan-European community of patient organizations and people living with rare diseases, to be their voice at the European level, and - directly or indirectly - to fight against the impact of rare diseases on their lives. EURORDIS leads global efforts for Rare Disease Day, which it established in 2008. The observance is celebrated around the world on the last day of February each year and its purpose is to raise awareness of rare diseases as a public health issue. For more information about EURORDIS, visit www.eurordis.org.
About NORD
Established in 1983, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. A nonprofit organization, NORD represents the 30 million Americans with rare diseases and is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare disorders through patient assistance, education, advocacy, research and patient/family services. For more information about NORD, visit www.rarediseases.org.
About Retrophin
Retrophin is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company dedicated to delivering life-changing therapies to people living with rare diseases who have few, if any, treatment options. The Company's approach centers on its pipeline featuring clinical-stage assets targeting rare diseases with no approved treatment options, including sparsentan for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disorder characterized by progressive scarring of the kidney often leading to end-stage renal disease, and RE-024 for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), a life-threatening neurological disorder that typically begins in early childhood. Research exploring the potential of early-stage assets, including RE-034, in several rare diseases is also underway. Retrophin's R&D efforts are supported by revenues from the Company's marketed products, Chenodal®, Cholbam® and Thiola®.
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