The National Pharmaceutical Council, a health policy research organization based in Washington, DC, today welcomed four biopharmaceutical companies to its growing membership roster. They include AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Horizon Pharma plc. and Spark Therapeutics, Inc.

"NPC's research-first approach to tackling health system challenges is more important now than ever in today's era of transformative medicine," said Dan Leonard, NPC President. "We're pleased that these four companies have joined NPC in support of our efforts to undertake research in answer to pressing questions, such as how we use and communicate real-world evidence, ensure access to innovative medicines and advance our aging payment and delivery systems, to name a few."

• AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas—oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and respiratory. The company also is selectively active in the areas of autoimmunity, neuroscience and infection. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Greg Keenan, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs and U.S. Head Medical Officer, will represent AstraZeneca on NPC's Board.
• Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need. The company's therapeutic areas of focus include HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, hematology and oncology, inflammatory and respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. Coy A. Stout, II, Vice President, Managed Markets, will serve on NPC's Board.
• Horizon Pharma plc. is focused on researching, developing and commercializing innovative medicines that address unmet treatment needs for rare and rheumatic diseases. By fostering a growing pipeline of medicines in development and exploring all potential uses for currently marketed medicines, Horizon strives to make a powerful difference for patients, their caregivers and physicians. Eric Mosbrooker, Senior Vice President, Orphan Business Unit, will be the Board representative.
• Spark Therapeutics, a fully integrated company committed to discovering, developing and delivering gene therapies, thrives to challenge the inevitability of genetic diseases, including blindness, hemophilia and neurodegenerative diseases. Spark's technology resulted in the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease in the U.S. The company currently has three investigational programs in clinical trials, including product candidates that have shown promising early results in patients with hemophilia. Joseph W. La Barge, Chief Legal Officer, will be Spark's representative on NPC's Board.

These companies join 20 others in membership at a time when NPC's work is especially relevant. NPC is currently leading a research-first dialogue, Going Below the Surface, to address difficult questions related to how well we are investing our health care dollars. For more information, visit goingbelowthesurface.org and follow the conversation on Twitter via @npcnow and #GoingBelowTheSurface.

About the National Pharmaceutical Council

The National Pharmaceutical Council is a health policy research organization dedicated to the advancement of good evidence and science, and to fostering an environment in the United States that supports medical innovation. Founded in 1953 and supported by the nation's major research-based pharmaceutical companies, NPC focuses on research development, information dissemination and education on the critical issues of evidence, innovation and the value of medicines for patients. For more information, visit www.npcnow.org and follow NPC on Twitter @npcnow.