PARAMUS, N.J.– Octapharma USA will be a presenting sponsor for The Myositis Association’s (TMA) 2022 International Annual Patient Conference to be held Sept. 8 – 11 in Orlando, Florida, providing a clinical overview of dermatomyositis (DM) and the latest information on treatment options for the rare immune-mediated inflammatory disease.
“We are excited to have Octapharma participate in the 2022 International Annual Patient Conference,” said TMA Executive Director Chrissy Thornton. “Octapharma’s pivotal clinical research on DM has been an important resource for the myositis community. The company’s leadership in advancing therapeutic options for patient therapies has been invaluable and we appreciate their continued support.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year approved Octagam® 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] for the treatment of adult dermatomyositis – the first and only immunoglobulin (IVIg) to be indicated for the rare disease. The approval was based on the Octapharma-sponsored ProDERM Trial, the first study to evaluate the long term efficacy and safety of IVIg for adults with DM. The prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial enrolled 95 patients at 36 sites globally, including 17 sites in the U.S., and is the largest study to evaluate intravenous immunoglobulin as a treatment option for dermatomyositis.
“Octapharma is committed to developing life-saving and life-enhancing therapies for patients with rare diseases, including dermatomyositis,” said Octapharma USA President Flemming Nielsen. “Adult DM patients no longer have to rely on unapproved treatments for the disorder. We look forward to meeting patients and their families at important educational programs such as the TMA conference to provide the latest information on dermatomyositis.”
Laurel Cherwin, RN, BSN, Octapharma USA Clinical Nurse Educator, will present a 90-minute clinical overview of dermatomyositis during the conference. The breakout session is scheduled for Friday, September 9th at 9:30 a.m. Octapharma encourages conference attendees to also visit its conference booth for more information on DM.
Myositis is a general inflammation or swelling of the muscle. The disease is highly variable and has been classified into a number of forms, including dermatomyositis, polymyositis (PM), necrotizing myopathy (NM), sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM), and juvenile forms of myositis (JM).
Dermatomyositis is a rare systemic autoimmune disorder of unknown cause affecting approximately 10 out of every million U.S. residents. Patients commonly suffer from severe rashes, chronic muscle inflammation and progressive muscle weakness, usually affecting adults in their late 40s to early 60s and children between the ages of 5 and 15. Complications include difficulty swallowing, breathing problems from lung scarring, joint pains, and calcium deposits on muscles, skin and connective tissues.
