Since it is estimated that more than 300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease1, Servier continuously strives to make therapeutic progress to meet patient needs. On February 29, we have an opportunity to revisit our commitment on the occasion of International Rare Disease Day.
The goal of International Rare Disease Day is to raise awareness among general audience and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on the daily lives of those affected and their loved ones. So, at Servier, we support the “Rare Disease Day” campaign. To learn more, visit rarediseaseday.org
300 million
Approximately 300 million people live with a rare disease2
75%
of rare diseases affect children3
5%
Less than 5% of rare diseases have the benefit of treatment4
Rare diseases are very different from one other. The majority of them are of genetic origin, although environmental, infectious and even microbiological factors can intervene. These diseases are generally serious, chronic, disabling and progressive, and can quickly become life-threatening.
Meeting the needs of patients with rare diseases
At Servier, our goal is to meet patients’ medical needs and improve their quality of life. For example, in neuroscience, we are focusing our R&D efforts on the discovery of new medicines that slow the progression of diseases with a genetic origin. Our goal is to provide significant therapeutic benefits to patients whose medical and therapeutic needs are unmet.
“Currently, it is estimated that only 5% of rare diseases have an approved treatment4. Our vocation at Servier is to provide solutions to patients who have few or none, in areas where the needs are substantial. This is the case for patients with rare cancers who are in great need of new therapeutic options. The diagnostic odyssey is also a real struggle for them, these patients who have been ‘forgotten’ by oncology, who are generally multi-drug resistant or who present rare mutations in a so-called more ‘common’ indication. By collaborating with them from the very start of clinical development, we will be able to better identify their needs because they are the ones who have the knowledge of their disease. Ultimately, together we will be able to remove the obstacles to diagnosis, accelerate R&D and democratize access in order to deliver personalized medicine, namely the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.”
Nicolas Garnier, Chief Patient Officer at Servier
[1] rarediseaseday.org
[2] Estimating cumulative point prevalence of rare diseases: analysis of the Orphanet database | European Journal of Human Genetics (nature.com), consulté en 2024
[3] Maladies rares (radiorg.be)
[4] https://alliance-maladies-rares.org/nos-combats/