Lyfebulb and Celgene Announce Call for Innovation Challenge Applications to Address Unmet Needs in Multiple Sclerosis

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyfebulb, a chronic disease-focused, patient-empowerment platform that connects patients with industry and investors to support user-driven innovation, and Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) announced the Lyfebulb-Celgene 2019 "Addressing Unmet Needs in MS: An Innovation Challenge" is now accepting applications. The goal of the initiative is to seek new solutions, beyond therapy, to help address either challenges faced by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in their daily lives or an unmet need that could potentially improve outcomes and experiences for both people with the disease and their support partners.

The Innovation Challenge will take place in June 2019 and will be open to patient entrepreneurs—those who have been affected by MS as either a patient, loved one or support partner—whose companies are helping develop solutions to address an unmet need in MS. Applicants must be companies based in the United States.

"Celgene is eager to hear from those who have experienced MS first-hand about their needs and potential solutions to improve the management of daily life with MS," commented Terrie Curran, President, Celgene Inflammation and Immunology. "This Innovation Challenge will bring together the thought leaders who intersect the patient and business communities, and we foresee a compelling exchange of ideas over this two-day summit." 

Selected finalists will gather at Celgene in Summit, New Jersey in June, where they will collaborate and compete with other MS-focused entrepreneurs. The winner of the Challenge will receive a $25,000 monetary grant to expand their company's efforts in the marketplace.

"Patients and those who support them offer such valuable insights into their journey and can directly provide solutions to improve aspects of living with a chronic disease beyond treatment," said Dr. Karin Hehenberger, CEO and Founder of Lyfebulb. "We look forward to receiving applications from patient entrepreneurs across the country and, together with Celgene, helping accelerate the prospects of these top innovators to benefit people living with MS."

Entrepreneurs may apply now through Friday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m. EDT at https://lyfebulb.com/innovation-award/celgene-2019/. The competition is free to enter. Official eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions can be found on the Lyfebulb website.

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often debilitating disease that affects approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. In MS, an abnormal response of the body's immune system causes inflammation and damage to myelin—the substance covering nerve fibers—in addition to damage to nerves themselves. Signs and symptoms are varied and can pose significant challenges in daily life.

About Lyfebulb
Lyfebulb is a chronic disease-focused, patient empowerment platform that connects patients, industry (manufacturers and payers), and investors to support user-driven innovation and reduce the burden of chronic disease. Lyfebulb promotes a healthy, take-charge lifestyle for those affected by chronic disease. Grounded with its strong foundation in diabetes, the company has expanded disease states covered into cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and now multiple sclerosis.

See www.lyfebulb.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Karin Hehenberger LinkedIn, and Lyfebulb LinkedIn.

About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

For inquiries, please contact:

Lyfebulb:
Karin Hehenberger, 917-575-0210
CEO and Founder

SOURCE Lyfebulb