Shire Launches #PIPostsThanks Social Campaign to Raise Awareness of Primary Immunodeficiency (PI)

Zug, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) -

Shire launches campaign to raise global awareness during World PI
Week

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG), the global leader in rare
diseases, is launching #PIPostsThanks, a social campaign to spotlight
the unsung heroes who make a difference in the lives of people living
with primary immunodeficiency (PI). PI is a group of nearly 300 rare
disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or
does not function properly, in many cases making it more difficult to
fight infections.[1],[2] The #PIPostsThanks campaign kicks off April
22-29, 2017, during the seventh annual World PI Week, to bring the PI
community together to share personal journeys and highlight the
efforts of those who help ease the burden of living with PI. Often
people with PI are sick on and off for more than a decade.[3],[4]
Once recognized, many of these rare disorders are treatable and in
some cases curable.[4]

"As a leader in developing innovative treatments and support
services for PI patients, Shire values the opportunity to serve this
community," said Kasha Witkos, Global Head of Immunology, Shire.
"Through awareness campaigns such as #PIPostsThanks, we hope to raise
awareness of this devastating disorder and offer our own thanks and
ongoing commitment to innovating on behalf of PI patients around the
world. We are determined to make a meaningful difference for patients
with PI."

Throughout World PI Week, Shire welcomes supporters from around
the world to share Thank You notes, videos, photos and more using the
#PIPostsThanks hashtag. Shire is giving its thanks to the PI
community through MyIgSource (intended for U.S. audiences) and
Rare2Aware (intended for audiences outside of the U.S.) social
channels in continuing to drive dialogue with patients around the
globe. For more information, visit:

- MyIgSource Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MyIgSource/)
(intended for U.S. audiences)
- Rare2Aware Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Rare2Aware/)
(intended for audiences outside of the U.S.)
- Rare2Aware Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rare2aware/)
(intended for audiences outside of the U.S.)

It is estimated that as many as six million children and adults
may be affected by PI worldwide and 70-90 percent of PI cases
worldwide are undiagnosed.[5],[6] According to a 2007 U.S. survey
from the Immune Deficiency Foundation, it takes 12.4 years on average
from symptom onset to a PI diagnosis.[3]

"During World PI Week 2017 the PI community will raise its voices
and take action to improve access to life-saving immunoglobulin
therapies for patients," said Johan Prevot, IPOPI Executive Director.
"In order for patients to be diagnosed earlier and access appropriate
treatments, it is of utmost importance to raise awareness about PI.
Together, patients, their family and friends, healthcare
professionals and other stakeholders from the community can make a
difference in the lives of PI patients. We join Shire and the PI
community in celebrating World PI Week and giving PI patients the
voice they deserve."

Shire is a proud partner of the official World PI Week campaign-a
partnership of clinical societies, patient organizations and research
foundations from around the world, aiming to raise awareness and
improve diagnosis and treatment for PI.

About World PI Week

World PI Week offers an opportunity to inform and educate medical
professionals, researchers, health policy-makers, schools, families
and the general public about PI. Through events and activities
promoting disease awareness of PI, the global PI community is making
positive changes around the world in support of people living with
PI. For more information, please visit http://www.worldpiweek.org.

About Primary Immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiencies (PI) are a group of nearly 300
disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or
does not function properly.[1] Normally, the immune system protects
the body from pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and
fungi, which can cause infectious diseases. When any part of a
person's immune system is absent or dysfunctional, the individuals
are often susceptible to infections, and it may take longer to
recover. When a defect in the immune system is inherited and
genetically determined, it is called primary immune deficiency.[2]

References

1. Blaese RM, Bonilla FA, Stiehm ER, Younger ME, eds. Patient &
Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. 5th ed.
Towson, MD: Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2013.
2. Bousfiha A, Jeddane I, Al-Herz W, et al. The 2015 IUIS phenotypic
classification for primary immunodeficiencies. J Clin Immunol.
2015; 35(8): 727-738.
3. Immune Deficiency Foundation. Primary immune deficiency diseases
in America: 2007. The third national survey of patients. Published
May 2009.
4. Chapel et al, Primary Immunodeficiencies - Principles of Care,
Frontiers of Immunology, 2014 December 15. Doi:
103389/fimmu.2014.00627
5. Bousfiha AA et al. Primary immunodeficiency diseases worldwide:
more common than generally thought. J Clin Immunol. 2013
Jan;33(1):1-7.
6. World PI Week, "World Primary immunodeficiency Week: Let's talk
about PI!" http://www.worldpiweek.org/sites/default/files/basic_pa
ge_documents/World PI Week Official PR 2011.pdf. Accessed April
18, 2016.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Shire

Shire is the leading global biotechnology company focused on
serving people with rare diseases and other highly specialized
conditions. We strive to develop best-in-class products, many of
which are available in more than 100 countries, across core
therapeutic areas including Hematology, Immunology, Neuroscience,
Ophthalmics, Lysosomal Storage Disorders, Gastrointestinal / Internal
Medicine / Endocrine and Hereditary Angioedema; and a growing
franchise in Oncology.

Our employees come to work every day with a shared mission: to
develop and deliver breakthrough therapies for the hundreds of
millions of people in the world affected by rare diseases and other
high-need conditions, and who lack effective therapies to live their
lives to the fullest.

http://www.shire.com

ots Originaltext: Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
, please contact:

Investor Relations
Ian Karp, ikarp@shire.com, +1-781-482-9018
Robert Coates, rcoates@shire.com, +44-1256-894874

Media
Molly Poarch, molly.poarch@shire.com, +1-312-965-3413

Original-Content von: Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc, übermittelt durch news aktuell