September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and the MPN Coalition, a group of seven patient organizations, has designated September 11, 2014, as MPN Awareness Day. This day recognizes the approximately 300,000 people in the United States who are living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)1, a group of closely related blood cancers that includes myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia2. Incyte supports the MPN Coalition’s efforts to spotlight these rare diseases and encourage unity, connectivity and support for people impacted by MPNs.

The MPN Coalition is focused on helping the MPN community come together to better educate the public about the burdens of MPNs and increase the resources to help these patients and their families effectively manage their disease. Awareness and educational events will be held throughout the month of September such as Shining the Light on MPN, hosted by the Cancer Support Community.

“The needs of people affected by rare diseases such as MPNs can be easily overlooked,” said Antje Hjerpe, Patient/Volunteer/ Advocate MPN-NET MPN Education Foundation. “But when we all join together – individuals, caregivers, advocates and health care professionals – our voices carry more weight and significantly increase our ability to build awareness and create more engagement within the MPN community.”

Two additional community initiatives, MPN Heroes™ and Voices of MPN™, established in 2013, focus on celebrating the MPN community and increasing sources of information and connection. The MPN Heroes program, sponsored by Incyte in collaboration with CURE Media Group, publishers of CURE magazine, recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed to the MPN community by going above and beyond to make a real difference. Nominations for this year’s recognition program are being accepted online and via phone until September 12. Visit www.MPNHeroes.com for more details. A list of 2013 MPN Heroes is available on the website. The Voices of MPN website features patients and caregivers sharing their stories; links to disease information, educational programs and patient support groups; and a “Raise Your Voice” Toolkit which provides tips on how to help spread awareness within the community.

“We are honored to partner with the MPN community so that our combined efforts can help patients more easily access the resources they need to manage life with these debilitating diseases,” said Hervé Hoppenot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Incyte.

In addition to the initiatives described above, an MPN Landmark Survey has been completed, examining the burden and impact of MPNs from both a patient and physician perspective. Sara Goldberger, Landmark Steering Committee member and longtime patient advocate, stated, “These data are important to bridging the many gaps that exist between the patient and their physician to improve patient outcomes. We look forward to sharing these data in multiple forums later this year.”

About Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a closely related group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow cells that produce the body's blood cells develop and function abnormally.2 The three main myeloproliferative neoplasms are myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, and essential thrombocythemia.2 MPNs are progressive blood cancers that can strike anyone at any age. Estimates of the prevalence of MPNs vary, but analysis of claims data suggests there may be as many as 300,000 people in the U.S. living with MPNs1.

About Incyte

Incyte Corporation is a Wilmington, Delaware-based biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary small molecule drugs, primarily for oncology. For additional information on Incyte, please visit the Company’s website at www.incyte.com.

References

1 “Prevalence,” MPN Research Foundation, http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/Prevalence

2 “Learning About MPNs - PV, ET, PMF” MPN Research Foundation,http://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/Overview-Page