Genzyme/NORD Fund Aims to Help Patients With Undiagnosed Rare Diseases

Genzyme and the National Organization for Rare Diseases have created a fund for patients with undiagnosed and unexplained symptoms who desire to enter the NIH’s Undiagnosed Diseases Program but cannot afford the mandatory baseline medical testing. The testing averages about $2,000.

A team of Genzyme employees is providing $60,000 raised during the 2013 Boston Marathon, NORD spokeswoman Mary Dunkle told Drug Daily Bulletin. Additional funds will come from Genzyme as the company determines the level of need.

The NIH program is set to expand in the coming year through a network of major academic centers across the country. The joint fund will help applicants applying to any of the participating centers. — Lena Freund

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