Shire provides support for Rare Disease Day 2014

Shire has held a number of events to mark Rare Disease Day 2014, which took place on the final day of February.

The event, coordinated by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases and the US National Organization for Rare Disorders, is held every year to raise awareness of the need for new therapy options for these conditions.

Shire participated in the initiative by sponsoring and participating in a variety of activities, partnering with local patient organisations around the world to help educate physicians and communities about rare diseases and advocate for those whose lives are impacted.

These included roundtable discussions, special awards schemes and public awareness events taking place at locations such as hospitals.

Jeff Poulton, head of the rare disease business unit at Shire, said: "We hope that by working together we can help ensure patients with rare diseases receive consistent, reliable and effective treatments and services to meet their individual needs."

The company has made numerous efforts to expand its capabilities in the rare diseases sector over the last year, including through the acquisition of ViroPharma.