NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyfebulb, a chronic disease-focused, patient-empowerment platform that connects patients with industry and investors to support user-driven innovation, announced it is joining forces with Celgene (NASDAQ: CELG) to launch Addressing Unmet Needs in MS: An Innovation Challenge, to seek new solutions aimed at addressing the daily challenges associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The Innovation Challenge will take place in May 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 multiple sclerosis. The goal of the innovation challenge is to shed light on the endeavors and ideas of patient entrepreneurs while raising awareness about this chronic condition. Official rules and eligibility criteria will be announced by Lyfebulb and Celgene in early 2019. Celgene will host an Addressing Unmet Needs in MS: An Innovation Challenge event, in Summit, New Jersey for the challenge finalists, where a panel of judges, including healthcare professionals, business leaders and industry experts, will award a cash prize to the patient entrepreneurs with the most innovative, impactful solutions.
"People living with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers possess a deep understanding of the everyday challenges of living with a chronic disease, giving them unique insight into creative, achievable solutions," said Terrie Curran, President, Celgene Inflammation and Immunology. "By launching this innovation challenge with Lyfebulb, Celgene aims to reinforce the value of patient-centric innovation for multiple sclerosis by providing support to help progress the ideas of patient entrepreneurs."
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often debilitating disease that affects approximately 2.5 million people around the world. In MS, an abnormal response of the body's immune system causes inflammation and damage to myelin—the substance the covers nerve fibers—as well as damage to nerves themselves. Signs and symptoms are varied and can pose significant challenges in daily life.
"As part of our mission to reduce the burden of living with chronic diseases, we are thrilled to expand our focus into MS in conjunction with Celgene," said Dr. Karin Hehenberger, CEO and Founder of Lyfebulb. "We look forward to engaging deeply with the MS community to better understand and elucidate their frustrations confronted in daily life. Importantly, we are eager to highlight those patient entrepreneurs whose solutions may really benefit the lives of the millions of MS patients."
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
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