Insmed Launches National Awareness Campaign Surrounding Follow-On...( RICHMOND Va. Feb. 5 /- Insmed Inc...),Health

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Insmed Inc. (Nasdaq: INSM), a developer of follow-on biologics and biopharmaceuticals, today announced that it has launched a broad education campaign on the importance of establishing a regulatory pathway in the U.S. for large molecule protein-based drugs, known as follow-on biologics (FOBs), which are also commonly referred to as biosimilars or biogenerics.

The scientific, regulatory, and legal framework for the approval of small-molecule generic drugs is well developed, and a regulatory system for approving FOBs was established in Europe in 2006. However, no regulatory pathway currently exists for FOBs in the U.S.

Insmed has launched a number of public initiatives to promote awareness of the need for Congress to establish a pathway for approval of FOBs, which would enhance patient access to and reduce costs for expensive biotech drugs. Following Insmed CEO Geoffrey Allan's recent testimony before the U.S. Congress, Insmed has initiated multiple efforts to enhance awareness of this important issue, including:

-- The commissioning and upcoming release of an economic study on the

savings a FOBs market would provide to patients and healthcare

providers;

-- An enhanced Insmed website containing enhanced FOB resources and

updates;

-- Interactive advocacy program utilizing user-generated content and

social networking platforms;

-- Stakeholder outreach and events with patient, healthcare provider,

employer, and policy groups.

"We hope that this renewed attention and the inception of these initiatives will shed some light onto the significant need for Congress to adopt legislation so patients can receive affordable access to life-saving biotech drugs," said Geoffrey Allan, Ph.D., CEO of Insmed. "Given Europe's previously established regulatory pathway for FOBs, the U.S. is clearly lagging behind other nations in respondin
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