PR84369

NYON, Switzerland, June 16, 2020, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

- International Osteoporosis Foundation Announces First-of-its-kind Partnership

With University of Oxford, Amgen and UCB to Combat Global Public Health Burden

of Osteoporosis[1]

- Hip and Vertebral Fractures are Costly for Society and Can be Life-Altering

for Patients[2],[3]

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has today announced a

partnership with Amgen and UCB, in collaboration with the University of Oxford,

to support its Capture the Fracture(R) program, which aims to reduce hip and

vertebral fractures by 25% by 2025. Currently, it is estimated that more than

200 million people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis,[4] resulting in an

osteoporosis-related fracture every three seconds.[5]

Osteoporosis is a serious chronic condition that weakens bones over time,

making them thinner and more likely to break,[5] but there are steps patients

and healthcare providers can take to reduce fracture risk.[1] Capture the

Fracture, an IOF initiative, now supported by Amgen and UCB in collaboration

with the University of Oxford, is a global program that helps to proactively

implement post-fracture care (PFC) coordination programs in hospitals and

healthcare systems to help patients prevent subsequent fractures due to

osteoporosis. Even after an osteoporosis-related fracture approximately 80% of

individuals at high risk are still not identified or treated.[6]

"Osteoporosis remains a global concern, resulting in 8.9 million fractures in a

single year[3] and a previous fracture increases the risk of another

osteoporosis-related fracture by 86%.[7] Early intervention through improved

post-fracture identification, diagnosis and treatment in appropriate patients

can help improve outcomes while also lessening the cost burden on healthcare

systems,"[5] said Darryl Sleep, M.D., senior vice president of Global Medical

and chief medical officer at Amgen. "Supporting Capture the Fracture represents

our proactive approach to care designed to predict and help prevent potentially

life-altering fractures before they happen."

"We are currently witnessing a significant disease burden. As the worldwide

aging population steadily increases, it has never been more important to

address the impact that osteoporosis and associated fractures can have on

individuals," said professor Cyrus Cooper, president of the International

Osteoporosis Foundation and professor of Musculoskeletal Science at the

University of Oxford.

"We know post-fracture coordinated care implementation is the most effective[8]

and efficient intervention to close the secondary fracture prevention gap, so

I'm delighted that Amgen, UCB and the University of Oxford will support our

Capture the Fracture program as we embark on a mission to improve outcomes for

patients," said IOF chief executive officer, Dr. Philippe Halbout.  

Osteoporosis is treated by multiple specialties, underscoring the need for

coordinated care to support patients with the disease. At the core of the

Capture the Fracture model is a care coordinator who can help patients with an

osteoporosis-related fracture be identified, screened, diagnosed and

appropriately treated to reduce their future fracture risk. Post-fracture care

coordination programs have been shown to improve diagnosis and treatment

rates.[8],[9] This partnership aims to double the 390 existing Capture the

Fracture programs by the end of 2022, and will focus on key regions including

Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

"The introduction of the post-fracture care model is recognized as a

progressive milestone in the management of osteoporosis and osteoporotic

fractures, and remains a profound example of what good looks like in

coordination of care among multiple disconnected players," said Professor Dr.

Iris Loew-Friedrich, chief medical officer and executive vice president, UCB.

"Collaboration and cross learning are necessary if we are to face the

challenges of the future and find a way to lessen the burden faced by

healthcare systems and people living with osteoporosis. This global partnership

supports UCB's ambition of connected healthcare, finding ways to deliver more

for the patient and transforming the lives of people with severe diseases."

This partnership also welcomes collaboration from existing fracture prevention

coalitions on international, national and regional levels to drive fracture

prevention policy change and prioritization. Additional elements of the

partnership include developing and implementing efficiencies and best practice

sharing across PFC program sites, creating a digital tool that documents and

communicates PFC effectiveness, and providing virtual and in-person mentorship

and learning opportunities for healthcare providers.

"Capture the Fracture is an incredible opportunity to take the academic skills

and expertise from the University to deliver real improvements in patient care

for osteoporosis," said Dr. Kassim Javaid, associate professor, the Nuffield

Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS),

University of Oxford. Dr. Javaid, along with Dr. Rafael Pinedo-Villanueva, will

be responsible for the mentorship program and for developing care pathway and

benefits calculator software for the PFC program. "We hope that through this

program millions of lives will be changed and we look forward to working with

national and international colleagues to deliver this vision."  

For more information about Capture the Fracture, visit

http://www.capturethefracture.org.

About International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)

IOF is a registered not-for-profit, non-governmental foundation based in

Switzerland. IOF has been granted Roster Consultative Status with the Economic

and Social Council of the United Nations.

IOF functions as a global alliance of patient societies, research

organizations, healthcare professionals and international companies working to

promote bone health and prevent fractures due to osteoporosis.

www.iofbonehealth.org

About Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering

from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering

innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like

advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand

the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise

to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve

people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one

of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached

millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines

with breakaway potential.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on

www.twitter.com/amgen.

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company

focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions

to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune

system or of the central nervous system. With 7 500 people in approximately 40

countries, the company generated revenue of € 4.9 billion in 2019. UCB is

listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

About University of Oxford

Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World

University Rankings for the fourth year running, and at the heart of this

success is our groundbreaking research and innovation.

Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most

talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions,

solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and

collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research sparks

imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

About The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal

Sciences (NDORMS)

NDORMS is a multi-disciplinary department focusing on discovering the causes of

musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions to deliver excellent and innovative

care that improves people's quality of life. The largest European academic

department in its field, NDORMS is part of the Medical Sciences Division of the

University of Oxford and is a rapidly growing community of more than 500

orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists and scientists all working in the field

of musculoskeletal disorders. www.ndorms.ox.ac.uk

References

1.  International Osteoporosis Foundation. IOF Compendium of Osteoporosis 2nd

Edition.

http://www.worldosteoporosisday.org/sites/default/WOD-2019/resources/compendium/2019-IOF-Compendium-of-Osteoporosis-WEB.pdf 

. Accessed March 11, 2020.

2.  Burge et al. Incidence and economic burden of osteoporosis-related

fractures in the United States, 2005-2025. J Bone Miner Res. 2007;

Mar;22(3):465-475.

3.  Johnell O, Kanis JA. An estimate of the worldwide prevalence and disability

associated with osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporos Int. 2006;17:1726-1733.

4.  Reginster JY, Burlet N. Osteoporosis: A still increasing prevalence. Bone.

2006;38 (2 Suppl 1):S4-S9

5.  International Osteoporosis Foundation. Capture The Fracture – A global

campaign to break the fragility fracture cycle (October 2012).

http://share.iofbonehealth.org/WOD/2012/report/WOD12-Report.pdf . Accessed

March 11, 2020.

6.  Nguyen TV, Center JR, Eisman JA. Osteoporosis: underrated, underdiagnosed

and undertreated. Med J Aust. 2004;180:S18-S22.

7.  Kanis et al. A meta-analysis of previous fracture and fracture risk. Bone

2004 35;375-82

8.  Akesson et al. Capture the Fracture: a Best Practice Framework and global

campaign to break the fragility fracture cycle. Osteoporos Int. 2013

Aug;24(8):2135-52

9.  Ganda et al. Models of care for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic

fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis Osteoporos Int (2013)

24:393–406

Photo -

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CONTACTS:

International Osteoporosis Foundation:

Laura Misteli, Communications Editor,

+41(0)78 8571777,

lmisteli@iofbonehealth.org

NDORMS, University of Oxford:

Josie Eade, Communications Officer,

+44 (0)1865 225136,

josie.eade@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

Amgen, Thousand Oaks:

Megan Fox, 805-447-1423 (media)

Trish Rowland, 805-447-5631 (media)

UCB:

Scott Fleming, Bone Communications, UCB,

+44 (0)7702777378,

scott.fleming@ucb.com

SOURCE: The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF)