The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) and the iBIO Institute have launched a patient focused center in the IBIO Institute.

The Patient Center will provide critical resources and connections between patient groups, the medical science industry and clinical research institutions. The national Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and Horizon Pharma have provided funding to launch the Patient Center.

Initially, the Patient Center will provide programming around advocacy training, curriculum development and common best practices to build capacity among smaller, sometimes resource-strapped patient-centered organizations. In time, the Patient Center will become a one stop location providing common office amenities while connecting these patient organizations to the stakeholders crucial to their mission.

“Horizon Pharma is committed to helping patients lead better lives through medical innovation,” said Horizon Pharma Chairman, President and CEO Timothy P. Walbert. “Strengthening the network between patient groups, researchers and industry will benefit clinical research and create an ecosystem that empowers patients to play a role in how their diseases will be treated in the future. This one-of-a-kind initiative allows iBIO and the Institute to leverage the BIO, AdvaMed and PhRMA networks to highlight best practices and pool resources.”

Leading the development of the Patient Center is an Advisory Board comprised of the key stakeholders for the patient center.

• Michelle Orive, Rush to Live
• Dr. Raj Shah, Rush University Medical Center
• Regina Greer-Smith, Healthcare Research Associates
• Jacqueline Dominguez, American Liver Foundation
• Heidi Fredrickson, We Work for Health, PhRMA
• MayeBeth Hadfield, Genentech
• Lauren Neff, Biotechnology Innovation Organization
• Rob Metz, Horizon Pharma

The official launch of the Patient Center will be at the iBIO IndEx on April 20^th, which is iBIO’s annual signature industry event.

“I am excited to launch the Patient Center initiative and the iBIO IndEx is the perfect forum for its inaugural programming. Our theme for the IndEx is Converge to Emerge, and this new Patient Center is a perfect example of how our community can come together to facilitate patient centered innovation,” said Warren Ribley, iBIO and iBIO Institute president and chief executive officer. “The seed funding from BIO and Horizon enabled us to host focus groups and establish the foundation to launch this patient initiative.”