Questcor Honored as an "Everyday Hero" by NephCure Foundation

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR) today announced that the company has been recognized with an "Everyday Hero" award from the NephCure Foundation for its "tireless efforts" to advance science and research in the field of nephrology and to also promote educational efforts related to the treatment of proteinuria in patients with kidney disease who are suffering from nephrotic syndrome.  The NephCure Foundation is a charity organization committed exclusively to supporting research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Nephrotic Syndrome, improving treatment and finding a cure.

"Questcor is honored to have received this recognition from NephCure," said Steve Cartt, Chief Operating Officer of Questcor. "We feel strongly about supporting research and educational initiatives that will positively impact patients with kidney disease and the nephrology community as a whole.  Our flagship product, Acthar, is an FDA-approved prescription medication that is used by an increasing number of nephrologists to induce remission of proteinuria in patients who are suffering from certain types of nephrotic syndrome.  We are proud to support the nephrology community through the funding of research, education and other important initiatives."

Henry Brehm, executive director of NephCure, said the organization decided to recognize Questcor because of its support for a patient population that has a significant unmet need.  "Questcor has proven through its actions that it is committed to education, assistance and research that strive to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome, until a cure can be found.  We applaud their dedication and commitment to our community."

Questcor was honored at NephCure's annual "Countdown for a Cure" fundraiser held on November 21^st in New York City.  The event raises money and awareness for its efforts to fund medical research and education programs in the fight against the kidney disease.  Since its inception nine years ago, "Countdown To A Cure" has raised over $3 million for The NephCure Foundation.

About Proteinuria and Nephrotic Syndrome

Proteinuria (excess urinary protein) can be caused by a variety of diseases and disorders of the kidney.  A significant deterioration in kidney function can result in very high levels of proteinuria, a condition associated with nephrotic syndrome. Left untreated, nephrotic syndrome may lead to end stage renal disease, which typically requires life-long dialysis treatments.  Types of kidney disease that can lead to nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease include:

• Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy (MN)
• Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
• Minimal Change Disease (MCD)
• Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
• Lupus Nephritis (LN)
• IgA Nephropathy (IgA)

These diseases damage the glomeruli, small blood vessels that work as a filtering system in the kidneys. They normally keep substances that a body needs, such as blood proteins (albumin), while filtering wastes and excess water from the blood and passing them into the urine. But because they're damaged, the kidneys' filtering system cannot properly function.  As a result, substances like protein that were previously unable to pass through can now leak or "spill" into a person's urine. This leads to high protein levels in a person's urine, or proteinuria.  Because of this condition, an individual's blood lacks the protein necessary to regulate fluid throughout the body.

About The NephCure Foundation

The NephCure Foundation was founded in 1999 and is based in Berwyn, PA.  NephCure is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment and find a cure.  For more information, visit www.nephcure.org

About Questcor 

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of patients with serious, difficult-to-treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Questcor also provides specialty contract manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry through its wholly-owned subsidiary BioVectra Inc. Questcor's primary product is H.P. Acthar® Gel (repository corticotropin injection), an injectable drug that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of 19 indications. Of these 19 indications, Questcor currently generates substantially all of its net sales from the following approved indications: the treatment of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome (NS) of the idiopathic type, the treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults, the treatment of certain rheumatology related conditions, and the treatment of infantile spasms (IS) in infants and children under two years of age. With respect to NS, the FDA has approved Acthar to "induce a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus." Questcor has announced its intent to initiate a pilot commercialization effort for Acthar for the treatment of respiratory manifestations of symptomatic sarcoidosis. The FDA approved package insert for Acthar includes "symptomatic sarcoidosis" under the heading "Respiratory Diseases."  Questcor is also exploring the possibility of developing markets for other on-label indications and the possibility of pursuing FDA approval of additional indications not currently on the Acthar label where there is high unmet medical need. Questcor also has agreed to acquire certain international rights for Synacthen® (tetracosactide) and Synacthen Depot®, and has licensed the right to develop and seek FDA approval for these products in the United States. For more information about Questcor, please visit www.questcor.com. 

SOURCE Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.