NEW YORK, June 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lyfebulb, a
chronic disease-focused, patient-empowerment platform that connects
patients with industry to support user-driven innovation, and
Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) announced that Kinza Kasher of Leoplus USA was chosen as the winner of the
Lyfebulb-Celgene 2019 "Addressing Unmet Needs in MS: An Innovation
Challenge."
Leoplus USA is developing Duet,
a device and app which aims to support communications between
people with MS and their care partners to help improve patients'
disease management outcomes.
"We know communication within families affected by multiple
sclerosis can be challenging. Duet is an innovative way to create
connections with those you love," said Tim
Coetzee, Ph.D., Chief Advocacy, Services and Research
Officer at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, who served as
chair of the judging panel. "We were particularly inspired by
Kinza's love for her mother, which then inspired this unique
approach to fostering meaningful conversations and
connections."
An honorable mention was given to Jason
DaSilva, the creator of AXS Map, a web platform that allows
users to locate, rate and review the accessibility of any location
in the world to help MS patients and their care partners facilitate
travel.
Ten innovative finalists whose companies are helping to develop
potential solutions to address an unmet need in MS were invited to
compete at the MS Innovation summit hosted by Lyfebulb and Celgene
at Celgene headquarters in New
Jersey on June 13. The
competition was only open to patient entrepreneurs – those who have
been affected by MS as either a patient, loved one or support
partner. A diverse panel of judges, which included experts in the
MS, healthcare and business communities, selected Kinza as the
winner of a $25,000 monetary grant to
further develop her proposed potential solution.
"We congratulate each of our patient entrepreneur finalists and
Celgene for helping us shine the spotlight on both the issues
confronting people affected by multiple sclerosis and the
innovative solutions that patient entrepreneurs are developing,"
Dr. Karin Hehenberger, CEO and
Founder of Lyfebulb. "Additionally, it is highly inspirational to
spend two days with such passionate thought leaders in the multiple
sclerosis community, from the entrepreneurs to the judges to our
host, with stimulating, thought-provoking dialogue around the
disease."
"We are proud to be supporting exceptional patient entrepreneurs
who are bringing innovation and personal experience to develop
potential solutions to help address challenges of those with
multiple sclerosis," said Terrie
Curran, President, Celgene Inflammation and Immunology. "Our
team and the esteemed panel of judges, who are leaders in the
community themselves, were impressed with the quality and
thoughtfulness of the 10 innovations presented. We want to
congratulate Kinza as being selected the winner of the
Lyfebulb-Celgene 2019 Innovation Challenge and are excited to
provide this award to support her ongoing work in the space."
For additional information on the Innovation Challenge and the
full list of finalists, please visit
https://lyfebulb.com/innovation-award/celgene-2019/.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a
chronic, often debilitating disease that affects approximately
2.5 million people worldwide. In MS, an abnormal response of
the body's immune system causes inflammation and damage to
myelin—the substance covering nerve fibers—in addition to damage to
nerves themselves. Signs and symptoms are varied and can pose
significant challenges in daily life.
About Lyfebulb
Lyfebulb is a chronic disease-focused,
patient empowerment platform that connects patients and industry
(manufacturers and payers) to support user-driven innovation.
Lyfebulb promotes a healthy, take-charge lifestyle for those
affected by chronic disease. Grounded with its strong foundation in
diabetes, the company has expanded disease states covered into
cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and
depression/anxiety.
See www.lyfebulb.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Karin
Hehenberger LinkedIn, and Lyfebulb LinkedIn.
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 next‐generation solutions in protein homeostasis,
immuno‐oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro‐inflammation.
For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow
Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn,
Facebook and YouTube.
For inquiries, please contact:
Lyfebulb:
Karin
Hehenberger
CEO and Founder
917-575-0210
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