Shire to Highlight New Research Into Chronic Hypoparathyroidism at the European Congress of Endocrinology

ZUG, Switzerland, May 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

New clinical and real-life data in chronic hypoparathyroidism, to advance understanding of this rare disease and improve patients' lives    

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG), the global leader in rare diseases, announced today new research to be presented on rhPTH(1-84) and on the treatment and management of chronic hypoparathyroidism at the upcoming 19^th Annual Meeting of the European Congress of Endocrinology (ECE), 20-23 May, Lisbon, Portugal. The data being shared provides valuable new insights into chronic hypoparathyroidism, including the long term treatment effect of rhPTH(1-84),^[1] extensive global registry data on a number of disease related variables,^[2] and patient-reported outcome (PRO) data on symptoms related to the disease from the Hypoparathyroidism Symptom Diary (HPT-SD).^[3] These data demonstrate Shire's long term commitment to improving our understanding of this rare condition in order to further improve the lives of people living with chronic hypoparathyroidism.

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disease that occurs when inadequate levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are secreted by the parathyroid glands, resulting in a mineral imbalance in the body expressed by a low concentration of calcium (hypocalcemia) and a high concentration of phosphate (hyperphosphatemia) in the blood.^[4] Not adequately controlled hypoparathyroidism has a significant impact on patient well-being through physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.^[5],[6] Chronic hypoparathyroidism is diagnosed in patients with a low concentration of calcium in the blood and inappropriately low PTH levels; for postsurgical chronic hypoparathyroidism, the features of hypoparathyroidism must persist for at least 6 months after surgery.^[5],[7]

''Diseases like hypoparathyroidism are poorly understood because they are rare and lack both clinical and real-life data. We are absolutely committed to advancing the knowledge and understanding of the science of chronic hypoparathyroidism, and of patients' needs," said Dr John Germak, Global Medical Lead, Internal Medicine. "At ECE we will share new, important research about this rare condition with the scientific community. These new data are an important step forward for Shire to further our understanding of the disease so that we can continue to pursue better outcomes for people living with chronic hypoparathyroidism and other endocrine disorders."

At the congress, there will be three poster presentations on chronic hypoparathyroidism and two satellite symposia. Abstracts will be available on the ECE website at http://www.ece2017.org/ following the meeting.

• Recombinant human parathyroid hormone (rhPTH[1-84]): 3 year analysis from RACE study^[1]
  Poster #GP47
• Disease profiles of chronic hypoparathyroidism patients from PARADIGHM™ natural history global registry^[2]
  Poster #EP291
• Psychometric evaluation of the newly developed hypoparathyroidism symptom diary^[3]
  Poster #EP1263

Shire is dedicated to addressing challenges in chronic hypoparathyroidism, and will be sponsoring several symposia at the meeting:

Shire-sponsored symposia  
- Perspectives on chronic hypoparathyroidism - the patient experience  
  Sunday 21^st May, 14:00 - 15:15

- rhPTH(1-84) for patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism 
  Monday 22^nd May, 14:00 - 15:15

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About Shire 

Shire is the leading global biotechnology company focused on serving people with rare diseases. 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

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All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References 

1. European Society of Endocrinology, May 2017. Available at http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0049/ea0049gp47.htm.
2. European Society of Endocrinology, May 2017. Available at http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0049/ea0049ep291.htm.
3. European Society of Endocrinology, May 2017. Available at http://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0049/ea0049ep1263.htm.
4. Shoback D. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:391-403.
5. Bollerslev J, et al. Eur J Endocrinol. 2015;173:G1-G20.
6. Hadker N, et al. Endocr Pract. 2014;20(7):671-9.
7. Brandi ML, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101:2273-83.

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