An estimated 3.3 million individuals in the U.S. are living with spondyloarthritis^1,2 (SpA), an inflammatory disease affecting the spine, and in some people, the joints of the arms and legs, skin, intestines, and eyes. An underdiagnosed condition, most people with SpA first experience symptoms in their 20s or 30s but typically wait as many as 10 years between symptom onset and SpA diagnosis. * 

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month so we’re shining a spotlight on the disease and how UCB is working to deliver solutions that patients value. 

At UCB, we strive to support patients to live their best lives possible, and we know getting time away from home for summer vacation or other travel needs is part of life. Whether you live with a chronic illness, are a caregiver for someone who lives with a chronic illness, or not - traveling can be stressful. However, for many people living with a chronic illness, special considerations are needed during travel, and it can be particularly challenging when you must travel with medicines. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can decrease the hassle, reduce your stress, and enjoy your trip. 

Yesterday, UCB’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) office hosted ten high school teachers as part of WakeEd’s SummerSTEM immersion program. SummerSTEM is an award-winning, eight-day professional development program to enrich educators’ understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) careers. This program is a collaboration between the WakeEd Partnership, the Wake County Public School System, and biotech businesses in North Carolina. 

The AIM Movement provides support, information and a place to share stories about motherhood in women with chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and Crohn’s disease (CD).

June marked the beginning of the 2018 hurricane season. Natural disasters – like hurricanes—can hit anywhere, any time. For someone living with a chronic disease, preparing for a disaster goes beyond just securing life and property—one must consider how to maintain access to much needed medicines.

Edward (Eddy) Han-Burgess was recently invited to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival Spotlight Health as a PhRMA Aspen Scholar. He joined four other emerging leaders from the biopharma industry from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck, and Novartis for a series of events on the new era of medicine and as a conference participant. 

Earlier this month, UCB supported Georgia BioEd Institute’s Summer Biotech Immersion Program. The pilot program took place at Paulding County High School from June 4-8. Eight biology and biotechnology teachers from metro Atlanta area high schools attended the laboratory-intensive professional learning experience in Marc Pedersen’s classroom, 2017 Biology Teacher of the Year.

L to R: Eddie Lee, Pharm.D., Robert Suruki, Sc.D., Ali Bozorg, M.D., Pamela Doty Braker, Ph.D., Stephen Yates, Ph.D.

Last week, 55 U.S.-based biopharmaceutical researchers from 20 different companies headed to Capitol Hill to share their stories with members of the U.S. Congress as part of the 2018 Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) GoBoldly Fly-In.

Last month, UCB teamed up with Rebuilding Together®Silicon Valley, a non-profit organization committed to repairing homes for older Americans or people living with disabilities who are physically and financially unable to maintain safe living conditions.