In Recognition of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) and Complex Disease Research

Floor Speech

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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 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.

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