NORD Honors Companies and Individuals at 2006 Tribute Banquet

Representatives of patient organizations, the research community, government agencies, and health-related industries gathered to honor outstanding contributions to the development of treatments for rare diseases at the 2006 NORD Tribute Banquet on Monday, April 24, in Washington, DC.

Each year, NORD honors individuals and companies for milestones in the development of diagnostics and treatments for rare diseases. In addition, NORD honors government officials who have played key roles during the year in improving the lives of people affected by rare diseases.

This year, the NORD Banquet included a special tribute to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in honor of its 100th anniversary. The FDA and its staff play a crucial role in determining the safety and effectiveness of new drugs, biologics, and medical devices for rare disorders.

Honorees for 2006 were:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in honor of its 100th anniversary
  
  
• The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO): (To be represented by James C. Greenwood, President & CEO)
  
  
• The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA): (To be represented by Billy Tauzin, President)
  
  
• The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA): (To be represented by Kathleen Jaeger, President)
  
  
• John J. McCormick, MD, Deputy Director, Office of Orphan Products Development, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  
  
• BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., for the development of Naglazyme, a treatment for Maroteaux-Lamy disease (MPS type VI)
  
  
• Celgene Corporation, for the development of Revlimid, a treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome
  
  
• Insmed, Inc., for the development of IPLEX, and Tercica, Inc., for the development of Increlex, two new treatments for the treatment of severe primary IGF-1 deficiency (e.g., Laron dwarfism)
  
  
• Novartis Pharmaceuticals, for the development of EXJADE, a new oral treatment for chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions