[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E332-E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE ACCELERATING MEDICINES PARTNERSHIP (AMP) AND 
                        COMPLEX DISEASE RESEARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2014

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Accelerating 
Medicines Partnership and to reaffirm our commitment to responding to 
lupus, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
   This long-awaited and vital partnership brings together the National 
Institutes of Health, 10 biopharmaceutical companies, and several 
nonprofits to transform the way we identify and validate biological 
targets of disease for diagnostics and drug development for

[[Page E333]]

debilitating diseases like lupus. Through this initiative, we can work 
on disease prevention and reduce the amount of risks in the drug 
development process. We hope that the partnership will stimulate 
investment in new effective treatments and help improve the quality of 
life of the millions of people worldwide living with lupus and other 
recurring diseases.
   Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 1.5 
million Americans. Approximately 90 percent of those with lupus are 
women, but men and children can also develop lupus. Lupus strikes 
without warning, has unpredictable, sometimes fatal effects, and has no 
known cause and no known cure. Lupus is also difficult to diagnose, and 
on average it takes an individual four years and three doctors to get 
an accurate diagnosis. Traditionally, there has been a lack of 
investment in research of this debilitating disease. This partnership 
is a strong step in the right direction. As co-chair of the 
Congressional Lupus Caucus, I applaud this important initiative, and I 
have confidence that is a step in the right direction toward finding a 
cure for this disease.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the Accelerating 
Medicines Partnership and in thanking these tireless advocates for 
their persistence and dedication to improving the lives of millions in 
the United States and around the world.

                          ____________________