2nd Annual U.S. Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products
Thursday, November 8, 2012
By: Christina Relacion

Being Held From October 22 - 24, 2012

HORSHAM, PA, USA—October 8, 2012— DIA and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), in collaboration with FDA, NIH, EURORDIS, and the Duke Department of Pediatrics, will host the 2^nd Annual US Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products: Shaping the Future Now from October 22-24 in Washington, DC. Patient organizations, patients, researchers, investors, government representatives, drug and device companies will discuss the challenges facing orphan product development and access.

“This vital meeting will provide important information for everyone living with a rare disease or working in orphan product development. Plenary sessions, as well as more-focused sessions, will be organized according to three central themes: policy, research and regulation, and special challenges," explains Peter L. Saltonstall, President and CEO, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). “NORD’s expert speakers will address today's political and economic climate, recent advances in the science of rare diseases, and how all stakeholders can work together to drive progress for patients and their families," he adds.

Keynote speakers Robert M. Califf, MD, MACC, Vice Chancellor for Clinical and Translational Medicine, Director of Duke Translational Medicine Institute, speaking on Research and Regulation; Stephen P. Spielberg, MD, PhD, Deputy Commissioner, Medical Products and Tobacco, Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration speaking on Policy; and John J. Castellani, President & CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) speaking for Special Challenges in Rare Diseases.

“This conference seeks to bring together patients and their advocates who share the same challenges and to recognize they are not alone facing the special challenges by patients, advocates, representatives and companies in the health care arena,” declares DIA Deputy Executive Director Carlos Fulcher.

Register for the US Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products: Shaping the Future Now here.

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About DIA
DIA is a neutral, global, professional, member-driven association of nearly 18,000 professionals involved in the discovery, development, and life cycle management of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and related medical products. Through our international educational offerings and myriad networking opportunities, DIA provides a global forum for knowledge exchange that fosters the innovation of products, technologies and services to improve health and well being worldwide. Headquarters are in Horsham, PA, USA, with offices in Basel, Switzerland; Tokyo, Japan; Mumbai, India; and Beijing, China. www.diahome.org. Follow DIA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About NORD
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a 501(c)(3) organization, is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service. Follow NORD on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.