Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Announces Aptalis Pharma as Title Sponsor of its Premier Cycling Event for 2011

Aptalis CF Cycle for Life Tour Series Supports Lifesaving Cystic Fibrosis Research

BETHESDA, Md., July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced that Aptalis Pharma will be the 2011 national title sponsor for its premier cycle series—Aptalis CF Cycle for Life.

The event features one-day bike tours held in 46 U.S. cities throughout the summer and fall. Thousands of cyclists will come together to raise money to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis, a rare and fatal genetic disease.

Aptalis is the new name of a company formed from the merger of Axcan Pharma and Eurand. Its sponsorship includes a donation that supports vital cystic fibrosis programs and research.

"Aptalis is proud to once again sponsor the CF Cycle for Life, as we did in 2010," said Ruth Thieroff-Ekerdt, M.D., chief medical officer of Aptalis Pharma. "This is a great event that affords cyclists with all levels of expertise, from all over the U.S., the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of an outstanding one-day tour while raising funds and awareness for a very worthy cause."

Last year's inaugural CF Cycle for Life raised nearly $1 million, with approximately 1,000 cyclists participating.

"The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is grateful to Aptalis for its generosity in sponsoring CF Cycle for Life for the second consecutive year," said Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the CF Foundation. "Because of the support and commitment of partners like Aptalis, the CF Foundation is achieving significant milestones in the fight against CF and bringing us closer to the goal of one day having a cure for this terrible disease."

The cycling event has expanded to an additional 29 cities, including Jacksonville, Brooklyn, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. Other major cities returning this year include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. For more information on tour locations or other details, visit http://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/CycleForLife/.

About 30,000 people in the U.S. and 70,000 worldwide have CF, a disease that causes persistent lung infections and premature death. Ten million Americans are symptomless carriers of a defective CF gene.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, go to www.cff.org.

About Aptalis

Aptalis Pharma Inc. is a privately held, leading specialty pharmaceutical company providing innovative, effective therapies for unmet medical needs including cystic fibrosis and gastrointestinal disorders. Aptalis has manufacturing and commercial operations in the United States, the European Union and Canada, and its products include ZENPEP®, CANASA®, CARAFATE®, PYLERA®, LACTEOL®, DELURSAN®, PANZYTRAT® and SALOFALK®. Aptalis also formulates and clinically develops enhanced pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products for itself and others using its proprietary technology platforms including bioavailability enhancement of poorly soluble drugs, custom release profiles, and taste-masking/orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulations. For more information, visit www.aptalispharma.com.

SOURCE Cystic Fibrosis Foundation