Shire launches awareness campaign to improve lives of people with rare MPS

Shire Launches #FlyForMPS with the International MPS Network and The MPS Society to increase awareness of MPS

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) announces a campaign to enable people to connect and share information about MPS (mucopolysaccharide) diseases around the world. MPS is a group of genetic diseases and is one of approximately 7,000 rare diseases worldwide, affecting almost 5 percent of the world’s population. Demonstrating the company's commitment to raising awareness of MPS, Shire encourages supporters to take part in the #FlyForMPS campaign to start a conversation and share information about this rare disease.

Supporters can create digital ‘paper planes’ that include information about MPS at www.MPSDay.com. Once ready for take-off, creations can be launched far and wide via email and social media.  Every digital plane shared will be tracked and miles electronically flown will be displayed on the website per country. The collective goal is to raise awareness by reaching a target of 20,000,000 air miles and 8,000 connections from around the world.

“Shire is committed to helping improve the lives of people with rare diseases and raising awareness is essential to do so,” said Angus Hogg, MPS Franchise Lead at Shire. “The Fly for MPS campaign will help people around the world better understand and share information about MPS diseases, in an effort to shorten the path to diagnosis for those affected by these rare diseases.”

MPS diseases are a group of rare, inherited, metabolic diseases that affect adults and children. MPS and related diseases occur in one in 25,000 births. One form of the disorder, MPS II, also known as Hunter syndrome, is an incurable and severely debilitating genetic rare disease.

“MPS diseases are devastating conditions which have a huge impact on the lives of people affected and their families,” said Christine Lavery MBE, Group Chief Executive at The MPS Society. “By connecting people around the world this International MPS Awareness Day, we hope to improve awareness and understanding of these conditions amongst both the public and healthcare professionals.”