ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Global Genes®, one of the world's leading rare disease advocacy organizations, will host the second annual RARE in the SQUARE, an event for rare disease innovators, investors, and patients, January 8-10, 2018. Set in San Francisco's Union Square and coinciding with J.P. Morgan's Healthcare Conference, RARE in the SQUARE is a unique networking location that provides an opportunity for rare investors, industry partners, patient community leaders, and rare disease influencers to meet and converse throughout the conference week. RARE in the SQUARE provides a setting for rare disease stakeholders to gather in a distinct and convenient location at the epicenter of the J.P. Morgan conference.
Integral to RARE in the SQUARE, Global Genes has partnered with EBD Group and Demy-Colton to present the 2018 Biotech Showcase entitled "Drivers of Innovation: Evolving Models in Rare Disease Drug Development". Hosted January 9 from 4:30 – 5:30 pm, Biotech Showcase will feature a compelling, moderated panel that will examine emerging pharmaceutical business models resulting from growing pressure on drug companies to bring new rare disease therapies quickly and cost-effectively. Panel discussions will be moderated by Danny Levine, Editor - RARE Daily, Host - RARECast, and Principal – Levine Media Group, and will include key, rare disease pharmaceutical industry stakeholders. For more information about this exciting discourse and panel participants, please visit https://globalgenes.org/rareinthesquare/.
Rare diseases affect more than 350 million people worldwide, equating to 1/10 people in the United States. Approximately 50% of those suffering from a rare disease are children, 30% of whom will not live to see their fifth birthday. Of the more than 7,000 rare diseases identified, 95% lack an FDA-approved drug or therapeutic.
Orphan drug development represents a growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry's drug development pipeline. It is estimated that worldwide prescription drug sales will grow 6.5% annually through the year 2022. Industry analysts project 32% of the increase in sales will be attributable to orphan drugs, equating to an estimated $95 billion market cap. (EvaluatePharma)
"The focus on rare disease innovation and investment continues to increase at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and within the life sciences sector. This focus is creating increased opportunities for the development of rare disease therapies, bringing hope to millions of rare disease patients around the world," comments Nicole Boice, Founder and CEO of Global Genes. "This is an important time for the rare community. Patient advocates are becoming active partners in progress, and helping to advance rare disease drug development like never before."
Global Genes thanks the following RARE in the SQUARE Sponsors and Partners:
Platinum Sponsor: BioMarin, and Gilead
Gold Sponsors: Alexion, Alnylam, BridgeBio, Horizon Pharma, Impact Pediatric Health, and Shire
Silver Sponsors: Abeona, Clementia, Harmony BioSciences, Genentech, and Vertex
Bronze Sponsors: Enzyvant, Healthcare at Home, LEO Pharma, Ultragenyx, and WAVE Life Sciences
Program Partners: EBD Group, and Ogilvy I FKH
Details
RARE in the SQUARE
January 8-10, 2018
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., daily
Union Square (across from the Westin St. Francis Hotel)
335 Powell St., San Francisco, CA 94102
About Global Genes®
Guided by its mission to connect, empower, and inspire the rare disease community, Global Genes is one of the world's leading rare disease patient advocacy organizations, serving and promoting the needs of patients and families touched by rare diseases. For more information, please visit www.globalgenes.org. Join the rare conversation @GlobalGenes on social media!
SOURCE Global Genes