Actelion Introduces First Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Multimedia Mobile Application for Healthcare Professionals

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. is announcing the availability of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Mobile Reference Guide, the first multimedia smart phone application that provides information on PAH disease, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals. The complimentary application, which is available on the iPhone®, iPad®, or BlackBerry® for download at www.pahmobile.com or by texting "PAH" to 30305, is accessible from any location.

PAH is a complex disease with diagnosis often delayed for more than two years from onset of symptoms [1]. Dr. Richard Krasuski, staff cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic stated, "Having this mobile resource of PAH pathology and diagnosis including echocardiogram videos is an important reference tool to help doctors suspect and identify PAH earlier.  I am excited to have this unique tool available for physicians that diagnose, treat and follow PAH patients."

The PAH Mobile Reference Guide provides a detailed source of information, including:

• PAH Pathology: illustrations and videos
• Diagnosis: tools and tables detailing signs, symptoms, and tests
• Treatment: guidelines and algorithms
• Resources: PAH links, glossary, and references

"PAH is a serious disease that is commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed.  While there has been great progress in developing better treatment options and improving patient care in recent years, there is more work to be done," stated Shal Jacobovitz, president of Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. "As a leader in PAH, Actelion is pleased to make this PAH Mobile Reference Guide available to physicians.  We are committed to the PAH community and look forward to developing more innovative tools that can improve patient care."  

About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic, life-threatening disorder characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries between the heart and lungs of an affected individual. The function of the heart and lungs is severely compromised, leading to a limited exercise capacity, and, ultimately, a reduced life expectancy. Approximately 100,000 people in Europe and the United States are afflicted with either idiopathic PAH or PAH associated with other conditions such as scleroderma or congenital heart disease.  Approved therapies have shown positive treatment effects in patients with PAH [2,3].  

References

1. Humbert M, Sitbon O, Chaouat A, et al. Pulmonary arterial hypertension in France. Results from a national registry. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006;173:1023-1030.

2. Humbert M; Sitbon O; Simonneau G. Treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. N. Eng. J. Med. 2004;351:1425-36.

3. Humbert M; Morrell NW; Archer SL; et al. Cellular and molecular pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension. J. Am. Coll.

About Actelion's PAH Franchise

Actelion is dedicated to providing best-in-class therapies and industry leading resources for people living with PAH.  In addition to its marketed products, Actelion leads the way in continuing to explore cutting-edge science to advance PAH patient care.  Further highlighting its commitment to patients, Actelion sponsors the REVEAL registry – the world's largest PAH patient registry.

About Actelion Ltd

Actelion Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Allschwil/Basel, Switzerland (with US headquarters in SSF.  Actelion, founded in late 1997, is a leading player in innovative science related to the endothelium - the single layer of cells separating every blood vessel from the blood stream. Actelion's 2000-plus employees focus on discovery, development and marketing of innovative drugs for significant unmet medical needs. Actelion shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: ATLN) as part of the Swiss blue-chip index SMI (Swiss Market Index SMI®).

SOURCE Actelion Ltd