Ascendis Pharma Italia celebrates 1 year of activity in our country. The pharmaceutical company opened its branch in Milan on October 1, 2024. Founded in Denmark, the company is now a European multinational committed to providing therapeutic responses to relevant and unmet clinical needs, particularly in the field of rare endocrinology, the company recalled in a note. Since its birth as a startup until now it has obtained distribution permits for 2 drugs in Europe, while a third treatment is currently in the evaluation stage. In its first year in Italy, Ascendis has launched a series of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of hypoparathyroidism and the complexities of clinical management of the rare disease. This includes the presentation of the ‘Guide to patient rights’, developed by Omar – Rare Diseases Observatory with the unconditional support of the company, an information tool to facilitate patient access to available treatment and protection pathways, contributing to more appropriate management by the healthcare system. The month of November also represented a particularly relevant moment for the endocrinology community with the presentation, at the National Congress of the AME – Association of Endocrinologists, of the first national guidelines dedicated to hypoparathyroidism, with clinical guidelines shared at a national level to improve the management of a condition that is poorly recognized and can cause diagnostic delays. (VIDEO)
“We are proud of the work carried out in the preparation of the new guidelines of the Higher Institute of Health for the therapeutic management of post-surgical hypoparathyroidism in adults – comments Andrea Palermo, endocrinologist Uoc Osteo-metabolic and thyroid pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Università Campus Bio-Medico Rome – The technical-scientific committee and guideline panel, which brings together leading representatives of the most authoritative scientific societies in the sector, together with patient associations, has clearly and precisely defined the areas of clinical use of replacement therapy based on scientific evidence that available, approved therapeutic indications, and good clinical practice.”
Ascendis is also supporting an event dedicated to rare endocrine diseases, on November 5, at the residence of the Danish ambassador to Italy: a direct comparison between institutions, the scientific community and patient representatives for the exchange of experience and skills useful for improving standards of care. As underlined by Peter Taksoe-Jensen, Danish Ambassador to Italy: “Europe must act together in the face of rare diseases, because for too long many people have had to face late diagnosis, fragmented treatment and unequal access to treatments that change the quality of life.” Through the consolidation of the Italian branch, the activation of projects dedicated to patients and participation in the development of national clinical pathways, the company confirms its active role in supporting therapeutic innovation, with the aim of promoting increasingly fair and homogeneous access to treatment in a wide range of rare endocrine diseases. “We are committed to continuing to collaborate with the authorities – concluded Thomas Carlo Maria Topini, General Manager of Ascendis Italy – to guarantee access for all patients with uncontrolled chronic hypoparathyroidism who have been waiting for a definitive solution for years”.
