Orphan Europe Recordati Group Celebrates Rare Disease Day 2011 - Rare But Equal

PARIS, February 24, 2011 - Orphan Europe, Recordati Group, announced it will celebrate Rare Disease
Day 2011. Observed annually on the last day of February, Rare Disease Day
seeks to call attention to rare diseases as a public health issue, and to
reinforce the increased need for access to information, research and
treatment. It is coordinated at the international level by the European
Organisation of Rare Disorders (EURORDIS) and by the National Organization of
Rare Disorders (NORD) in the US.

Rare diseases are life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions
affecting no more than 5 in 10000 people in the European Union. It is
estimated that between 5,000 and 7,000 distinct rare diseases exist today.
Orphan Europe works with the following diseases: acute porphyria, congenital
sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, homocystinuria, hyperammonaemia due to NAGS
deficiency, nephropathic cystinosis, patent ductus arteriosus, severe
combined immunodeficiency - adenosine deaminase deficiency, vitamin E
deficiency in chronic cholestasis and Wilson's disease.

This year's theme is "Rare but Equal" - addressing health inequalities.
Orphan Europe has recognised variability in the diagnosis and management of
rare diseases between countries and even regions. In response to this we have
actively partnered with several European and international rare disease
networks with the mission to provide equal care (EuroWilson, EPNET, E-IMD and
Eunefron).

For the upcoming Rare Disease Day we are collaborating with EURORDIS to
encourage Orphan Europe staff to engage in voluntary work for the EURORDIS
therapeutic recreation programmes (TRP's) for rare disease patients. TRP's
for rare disease patients are any organised recreation activity (summer camp,
ad hoc trip) which gives children the possibility to take a break from
thinking about disease and treatment and focus on fun and leisure.

Orphan Europe volunteering staff will be given exceptional paid leave (up
to one week) to work as an unpaid helper on a TRP.

Other Orphan Europe Rare Disease Initiatives:

    - Employees are encouraged to wear a << Rare Disease Day Awareness
      Bracelet >> distributed by NORD

    - Orphan Europe has joined friends of rare disease day

    For further information please contact:

    Samantha Parker
    sparker@orphan-europe.com

www.orphan-europe.com

www.eurordis.org/content/therapeutic-recreation-programmes

For further information please contact: Samantha Parker, +33(0)1-47-73-95-29, sparker at orphan-europe.com