DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) recognized Lundbeck last night with the Marjorie Guthrie Leadership Award for the company's steadfast commitment to the Huntington's disease (HD) community and for making a meaningful contribution to patients and families impacted by HD across the country. Lundbeck was honored at the 13th Annual HDSA Guthrie Awards Dinner celebration in New York. The award is bestowed annually to a corporate leader who demonstrates the best in corporate philanthropy through humanitarian concern for the health and well-being of people.
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Accepting the award on Lundbeck's behalf was Anders Gersel Pedersen, Executive Vice President for Global Drug Development in Denmark, who said upon accepting the award, "It was important for me to come from Copenhagen to accept this award on behalf of Lundbeck to emphasize how much this award means not only to our U.S. team, but how important it is to Lundbeck on a global level as well. We take seriously our mission to address unmet medical needs for patients suffering from central nervous system disorders and working on behalf of Huntington's disease is very much a part of this mission."
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Attended by more than 250 leaders in the HD community, the Guthrie Awards Dinner is held each year to pay tribute to legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie, who battled with HD, and his wife Marjorie, who led the way in building a national HD community and driving the search for a cure.
"From the day we began collaborating with Lundbeck, they have displayed exceptional commitment to our patients and families," said Louise Vetter, President of HDSA. "Not only did they make the first FDA approved treatment available for chorea associated with HD, but they have provided important resources and support for HD patients, families and healthcare professionals nationwide. They have taken the time to get to know the needs of our community and have become a valued partner. For these reasons we are pleased to recognize Lundbeck with this year's Marjorie Guthrie Leadership Award."
About Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that results in uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances, and mental deterioration (1). HD is characterized by a combination of motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms that evolve over many years(1,2). The average survival time after diagnosis of the illness is 15 to 20 years but can range from 10 to 30 years(1). Currently, there is no known cure for HD and the disease is ultimately fatal(1,3). For more information on HD, please visit www.hdsa.org.
About Lundbeck
H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUKY) is an international pharmaceutical company highly committed to improve the quality of life for people suffering from central nervous system (CNS) disorders. For this purpose Lundbeck is engaged in the research and development, production, marketing and sale of pharmaceuticals across the world, targeted at disorders like depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen, Denmark, and employs today over 5,500 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies working with CNS disorders. In 2008, the company's revenue was DKK 11.3 billion (approximately EUR 1.5 billion or USD 2.2 billion). For more information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.
About Huntington's Disease Society of America
The Huntington's Disease Society of America's is the largest non-profit agency dedicated to people with Huntington's Disease and their families. The Society is comprised of 40 local chapters and affiliates throughout the United States. HDSA raises funds for its unique HDSA Drug Research Pipeline, made up of the HDSA Coalition for the Cure (basic scientists), CHDI (a virtual translational drug company), which develops potential therapies, and a clinical trials group that promotes and administers clinical trials of promising therapies. HDSA also supports 21 Centers of Excellence at major medical facilities throughout the U.S., where people with HD and their families receive medical, psychological and social services, in addition to physical and occupational therapy, genetic counseling and genetic testing. The Society has more than 140 support groups for people with HD, families, caregivers and people at risk, and creates educational materials (digital and print) for the general public as well as medical professionals.
SOURCES 1. MayoClinic.com Web site: Huntington's Disease Mayoclinic.com/print/huntingtonsdisease/DS00401/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print 2. Kirkwood SC, Su JL, Conneally PM, Fouroud T. Progression of Symptoms in the Early and Middle Stages of Huntington Disease. Archives of Neurology 2001; 58: 273-278. 3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Huntington's Disease Information Page: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/huntington.htm
SOURCE Lundbeck
