Ferring Pharmaceuticals and North Zealand University Hospital (Nordsjællands Hospital) yesterday formally inaugurated a multi-year collaboration aimed at transforming the way in which patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manage their condition and receive medical care.
During the event, held at North Zealand University Hospital in Copenhagen, local doctors, researchers and IBD patients learned more about the eHealth-based programme and its potential to increase adherence to treatment and reduce time-to-remission.
“We have already implemented web-ward rounds in the eHealth out-patient clinic,” said Bente Ourø Rørth, Head of North Zealand University Hospital. “Our web-based application empowers patients to home-monitor, giving them the opportunity to detect a relapse sooner than in a standard care setting.”
The collaboration reflects Ferring’s long-term commitment to enhancing the quality of life and quality of care of IBD patients through the development of personalised, ‘beyond-the-pill’ solutions and innovative scientific research, including the exploration of the human microbiome.
Ferring’s collaboration with the hospital also evaluates the role of microbiota in IBD patient responses to different treatments in an eHealth setting. As the first test site, information and patient data generated from the programme will be used to refine the eHealth tool and provide more insights into treatment options before it is rolled out more widely.
“Research into the microbiome is changing our perspectives on health and disease, but there are still many factors that are not yet known or properly understood,” said Per Falk, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. “Ferring is committing to advancing research in this area, with the ultimate goal of generating personalised treatment for IBD patients and early interventions for those at risk of developing the disease.”
About Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis which together affect over 3.6 million people worldwide. IBD is characterized by an aberrant mucosal immune response observed locally in the GIT leading to impaired epithelial barrier function and tissue destruction. Over the past decade IBD has emerged as one of the most studied human conditions linked to the gut microbiota.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on the other hand has no organic cause, however, has been linked to dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in many studies. IBS is the most common GI disorder affecting 10-15% in the industrialized world. Abdominal pain and altered bowel habits are the most bothersome symptoms for many IBS patients which greatly affect their quality of life. Treatment of IBS patients relies so far on symptom reduction. Many IBS patients have reported their symptoms to be triggered by meals or specific food. Food is also one of the most important environmental factors impacting the microbial composition in the gut.
About Microbiota:
The microbiota can be considered a “new organ” which actually constitutes 2 kg of our body and an estimated 80 % of its components have not yet been cultivated.
About Ferring Pharmaceuticals:
Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology, endocrinology and orthopaedics. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries and markets its products in 110 countries. To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.
For further information:
Lindsey Rodger
Tel. + 41 58 451 40 23
lindsey.rodger@ferring.com
