Cortendo AB Joins National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)® Corporate Council

RADNOR, Pa. and DANBURY, Conn., April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cortendo AB (publ) [ticker: CORT on NOTC-A], a global biopharmaceutical company focused on rare endocrine disorders and other rare diseases, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)®, a leading, independent nonprofit organization committed to the identification, treatment and cure of rare diseases, today announced that Cortendo has joined NORD's Corporate Council.

The NORD Corporate Council is composed of a select group of leading companies committed to helping people with rare diseases, also known as orphan diseases. The Council provides a unique opportunity for interaction with the rare disease community, including patient advocacy organizations, and enables companies to discuss emerging trends with top experts in the worldwide rare disease effort. Members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and other companies engaged in the aspects of health care for the rare disease/orphan product community. Membership supports NORD's programs of education, advocacy, research and service.

"We are pleased to have Cortendo join NORD's Corporate Council, and we appreciate their commitment to bring innovative new therapies to market for the treatment of orphan indications with their initial focus targeting rare endocrine disorders and Cushing's Syndrome," said Peter L. Saltonstall, president and chief executive officer of NORD.

Cushing's Syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder that is caused by prolonged exposure to elevated levels of cortisol produced within the body or introduced from outside the body. Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome may include abnormal weight gain, upper body obesity, thin purple streaks on the skin, fatigue, diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression.

"Cortendo is proud to announce joining NORD's Corporate Council today, which marks National Cushing's Syndrome Awareness Day," said Matthew Pauls, president and chief executive officer of Cortendo. "Our partnership with NORD reinforces Cortendo's commitment to advancing research and development efforts that may improve the lives of people with rare diseases, including our currently recruiting Phase 3 trial of the investigational compound COR-003 (levoketoconazole), which is being studied in Cushing's Syndrome."

A rare disease is defined as a disease that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans.  In the U.S., an estimated 30 million people (1 in 10 individuals) have a rare disease, many of which can be chronic and can be life-threatening.  Fewer than 400 of the 7,000 rare diseases have FDA-approved treatments.

National Cushing's Syndrome Awareness Day occurs on April 8 because it is the birthday of Harvey Cushing (1869-1939), the American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist who discovered and reported the disease in 1932.

About Cortendo AB

Cortendo AB is a global biopharmaceutical company incorporated in Sweden and based in the United States. The Company's strategic focus is to be the global leader in commercializing innovative medicines for rare endocrine disorders and other rare diseases. Cortendo is leading the way in the field of cortisol inhibition through the investigational drug, COR-003 (levoketoconazole), currently being studied in the global Phase 3 SONICS trial for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. COR-003 (levoketoconazole) has received orphan designation from both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company's intent is to independently commercialize its Orphan/Endocrine assets in key global markets and partner non-strategic product opportunities, such as diabetes, at relevant development stages.

About National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)®

Established in 1983, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)® is the primary nonprofit organization representing all patients and families affected by rare diseases in the U.S.  NORD is committed to the identification, treatment and cure of all 7,000 rare diseases that affect 30 million Americans, or one in every 10 people.  NORD provides programs of advocacy, education, research and patient/family services to improve the lives of all people living with rare diseases. NORD represents more than 220 disease-specific member organizations and partners with many other organizations in specific causes of importance to the rare disease patient community. Follow NORD at www.rarediseases.org/ and on Twitter at @RareDiseases.

Cortendo Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning Cortendo that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's strategy, plans, outcomes of product development efforts and objectives of management for future operations, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements or industry results to be materially different from those contemplated, projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted, whether expressed or implied, by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. None of these forward-looking statements constitutes a guarantee of the future occurrence of such facts and data or of actual results.  These statements are based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Company believes are reasonable. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made only as of the date hereof. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates of any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its actual results, assumptions, expectations or any change in events, factors, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement contained in this press release is based.

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SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)