BioVoice News October 2017 Issue 5 Volume 2 | Page 45

and new-to-class. The majority (80 percent) of Shire’s annual R&D expenditure is channeled into rare diseases. Today, our rare disease pipeline is more robust and focused, following the combination of Shire and Baxalta. This means that we can benefit from the best of both companies and build a nimble, performance-driven organisation with a collaborative approach and the patient at the centre of everything we do. There is an urgent need for the Indian healthcare system to be more supportive of innovations that make a difference to the lives of patients with rare diseases. through meaningful partnerships that bring together policy makers, patient bodies, patient communities and other stakeholders around a common agenda, promoting awareness and accessibility to therapies. Is the company also strengthening its R&D base? Globally we have 40 programs in our clinical pipeline, of which 80 percent in rare diseases and more than 10 in Phase III. We are focusing on developing therapies that are first-in-class, best-in-class- Please share your outlook for the company’s future in India? Shire strives to support patients with rare diseases and other specialized conditions, and our strategy is to create and grow long-term value on the basis on improved diagnosis and through providing high impact medicines and therapies. We believe our commitment to advancing innovation means that we are making a significant contribution to society through the positive impact we have on the lives of patients and their families and caregivers. BIOVOICENEWS.COM 45