PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 24, 2015 – 7,000 rare diseases, many untreatable. 50% of patients are children. 35% of deaths in the first year of life are due to rare diseases. To everyone at Premier Research, that’s a call to action. So Premier Research employees worldwide will join together on Friday, February 27, to raise awareness of Rare Disease Day 2015.

They’ll wear their favorite pair of jeans to work that day, as well as a Global Genes Blue Denim Genes RibbonTM to top off their outfits. The cause: helping the non-profit Global Genes organization in its efforts to get the word out and support everyone who is helping put an end to the tragedy of rare diseases. Global Genes helps patients become successful advocates and funds innovations in science and technology that will impact today’s patients within their lifetimes.

Premier Research will also participate in the #CareAboutRare campaign on social media, sharing employee pictures and videos, as well as engaging with the Rare Disease community in the following days and weeks. The #CareAboutRare campaign is a great opportunity for everyone to help spread the word about rare diseases, and Premier Research urges everyone to take a minute and join in, as well as making a donation to Global Genes.

As many as 7,000 rare diseases affect an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Each year, 250 rare diseases are identified. In the 25 years since the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than 340 treatments for rare diseases. Premier Research has conducted more than 100 rare disease studies over a recent five-year period, and continues trying to find solutions every day.

Premier Research is proud to support Rare Disease Day and Global Genes Project, and to help raise the awareness that leads to education, which leads to support, which leads to research, which leads to helping conquer those 7,000 rare diseases.

About Premier Research

Premier Research is a leading contract research organization serving the needs of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. The company has a wealth of experience in the execution of global, regional, and local clinical development programs with a special focus on addressing unmet needs in such areas as analgesia, CNS, rare diseases, medical device and diagnostics, and pediatric research. Premier Research operates in 50 countries and employs more than 1,000 professionals, including a strong international network of clinical monitors and project managers, regulatory, data management, statistical, scientific, and medical experts. With its mission to improve productivity in clinical development, the company aligns itself with the mission of its customers to bring new medical treatments to patients promptly, accurately, and cost-effectively.