Epilepsy Pipeline Conference 2012 Expanded to Feature a "Family and Friends" Day

USA Olympic Athlete and Celebrity DJ to Discuss Their Epilepsy Stories and Lend Support  

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Epilepsy Therapy Project (ETP), a non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate new therapies for people living with epilepsy and seizures and the parent organization of epilepsy.com, announced today that the Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference 2012 will be held February 2-4, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.  The third biennial event will showcase promising epilepsy therapies from emerging and established companies developing pioneering drugs, biologics and devices for epilepsy.  This year's conference has been expanded to three days to include a day for people with epilepsy, family and advocates, focused on emerging research and new treatments in epilepsy care.   

The Epilepsy Therapy Project's Family and Friends Day will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012.  Registration is required. For free registration for this day of the conference, please visit http://www.epilepsy.com/etp/pipeline2012-friends-and-family.

"The Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference has become a must attend forum for investigators, companies and investors seeking or offering new ideas to advance epilepsy therapy.  We are excited to be able to share the latest thinking on treating epilepsy with those at the center of our community - people diagnosed with epilepsy along with their friends and family," said Warren Lammert, ETP Co-Founder and Chairman.  "We hope this special session open to the public will offer valuable insights into living with and treating epilepsy, as well as an opportunity to gain a look at the most promising emerging new drugs, devices, and learning around dietary therapies and epilepsy care."

"Family and Friends" Program Highlights

Led by some of the nation's leading experts and advisors on epilepsy.com, the forum will feature panels such as  "New Ways of Understanding the Brain and Epilepsy" and "Epilepsy Medications and Alternative Therapies on the Horizon," as well as a discussion of "SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy): What do We Know and What We Need to Talk About."  The program will also include presentations focused on dietary therapies, insights from people with epilepsy, devices and surgery, tools that can be used in managing epilepsy, and more.  For the full day's program, please visit http://www.epilepsy.com/etp/pipeline2012#day3.

ETP spokespeople and special guests USA Olympic Hockey Team goaltender Chanda Gunn and L.A. celebrity turntable artist DJ Hapa will be appearing at the event to inspire others with their stories of living with epilepsy.  Chanda was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of nine, but has never let it defeat her ambitions to compete worldwide.  As a goaltender for the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team and bronze medal winner of the 2006 Winter Olympics, Chanda is a role model for future athletes, coaching the team at Northwestern University and earning numerous awards for her natural athletic abilities and perseverance.  DJ Hapa, who was diagnosed with epilepsy as a young teen, is a well-known figure on the Hollywood scene for his unparalleled turntable skills.  Hapa's extraordinary knowledge of music genres has led to spinning at exclusive VIP and private parties worldwide and exclusive events including Michael Jordan's Celebrity Golf Tournament, NBA All Star Games and the Rose Bowl.  DJ Hapa is also the first celebrity from the hip-hop community to identify himself as having epilepsy.  Chanda and Hapa are proud to be spokespeople for the Epilepsy Therapy Project and support our mission to advance new therapies for people living with epilepsy.  

About the Epilepsy Therapy Project

The Epilepsy Therapy Project is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate ideas into therapies for people living with epilepsy and seizures.  Founded in 2002 by a group of parents, distinguished physicians, and researchers, the Epilepsy Therapy Project supports the commercialization of new therapies through direct grants and investments in promising academic and commercial projects.  For more information about epilepsy, epilepsy treatment and the epilepsy pipeline, please visit our website, www.epilepsy.com or call 540.687.8077. 

SOURCE Epilepsy Therapy Project