SUMMIT, N.J., Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG), the maker of OTEZLA® (apremilast)--the first and only oral U.S. FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA)-- today announced the launch of the "pSAY YES!" program, a patient-focused initiative to help people with psoriatic arthritis address areas of their lives that are often impacted because of the chronic nature of the disease and help them pSAY YES to a different approach to disease management, including treatment.

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Psoriatic arthritis, a painful and debilitating chronic condition, impacts approximately 750,000 Americans. Psoriatic arthritis may impact patients' mobility in their daily lives; at the most basic level, some are unable to walk easily or climb stairs. Driving can also be difficult, as is getting in and out of a car.

As part of the "pSAY YES!" program, Celgene has enlisted the help of patients living with psoriatic arthritis from across the country, as well as chronic illness life coach Rosalind Joffe and leading rheumatologist Dr. Joseph Markenson, to develop tips specifically for patients living with and managing their disease. Tips are focused on areas most commonly impacted by psoriatic arthritis including work, hobbies and relationships. To help guide patients, the program also provides suggestions for speaking with their healthcare provider and working with them to map out the right treatment plan.

"Perhaps what is most difficult about living with psoriatic arthritis is that people don't understand the impact this condition has on me. I have only recently met others who face the same struggles," said Teresa D., a psoriatic arthritis patient using OTEZLA®. "I love that Celgene is encouraging me, and others like me, to pSAY YES to doing the things I've always loved and to find ways to help control my disease, rather than letting it control me."

Psoriatic arthritis can have a considerable physical and emotional toll on patients. In fact, 63 percent of patients report that the condition causes them to lead less active lives, and close to half found that the disease impacts their ability to work. Additionally, patients have also reported that the disease strongly impacts their relationships, work, hobbies, and treatment regimen.

"My patients often tell me that they deal with much more than just the physical impact of their condition," said Dr. Joseph Markenson, M.D., with the Department of Rheumatology at The Hospital for Special Surgery-New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell Medical School. "They have to accept the impact of their disease, which affects various aspects of their lives including work, hobbies and relationships. However, I encourage patients with a chronic condition such as psoriatic arthritis to look at their lives and, after having a frank discussion with their doctor, seek out different approaches to managing their condition."

"Connecting personally with patients and working to ensure they have helpful resources for managing their condition is at the core of what we do every day," said Terrie Curran, Corporate Vice President, Inflammation and Immunology, Celgene. "'pSAY YES!' is just the first step in demonstrating our commitment to help improve the lives of psoriatic arthritis patients and Celgene's commitment to the I&I franchise."

To learn more about the "pSAY YES!" program and to view helpful resources, visit pSAYYES.com.

About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a painful, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling and tenderness of the joints, inflammation of specific ligaments and tendons, and decrease in physical functioning. It is estimated that nearly 38 million people worldwide have psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can impact day-to-day activities and has been reported to increase work disability. Common signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. To learn more about psoriatic arthritis, go to discoverpsa.com.

About Celgene

Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit celgene.com.

APPROVED USE

Otezla(®) (apremilast) is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You must not take Otezla(®) (apremilast) if you are allergic to apremilast or to any of the ingredients in Otezla.

Otezla is associated with an increase in adverse reactions of depression. In clinical studies, some patients reported depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behavior while taking Otezla. Some patients stopped taking Otezla due to depression. Before starting Otezla, tell your doctor if you have had feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal behavior. Be sure to tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or other mood changes develop or worsen during treatment with Otezla.

Some patients taking Otezla lost body weight. Your doctor should monitor your weight regularly. If unexplained or significant weight loss occurs, your doctor will decide if you should continue taking Otezla.

Some medicines may make Otezla less effective, and should not be taken with Otezla. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines.

Side effects of Otezla were diarrhea, headache, and nausea.

These are not all the possible side effects with Otezla. Ask your doctor about other potential side effects. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to breastfeed. Otezla has not been studied in pregnant women or in women who are breastfeeding.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-332-1088.

Please click here for Full Prescribing Information

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SOURCE Celgene