ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced the launch of its Alexa skill, MS Awareness Facts, as part of the company’s activities in recognition of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. The skill allows users to ask Amazon Alexa for an MS Awareness Fact to learn more about multiple sclerosis and find helpful information on MS and its symptoms.
Amazon Alexa is Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. Using voice commands, users interact with Alexa, asking her for what they want, in this case, “Alexa, start MS Awareness.” Alexa will randomly select from one of almost 50 tips and facts about MS, and read it aloud to the user.
“We’re proud to be at the forefront of using this new technology to connect with patients,” said Michael Russo, Executive Director, Corporate Digital Strategy & Innovation. “Education is an important component of each person’s fight against multiple sclerosis. As we move towards becoming an increasingly digital society, it’s important that we provide solutions that match the way people live and work, and in this case that means voice search.”
The MS Awareness Facts skill leverages content from the company’s award-winning MS self™ app. In addition to the skill, Acorda has also created a team on Charity Miles, a free app for Android or iPhone. Charity Miles allows users to raise money for charity by walking, running, or biking. Users can download the app and join Acorda’s team by searching for #MSAwareness; Acorda team members may elect an MS charity as the recipient of funds raised.
About MS Awareness Month
Throughout the month of March, advocacy organizations such as the National MS Society, the MS Association of America, the MS Foundation campaign to expand knowledge, understanding and support of multiple sclerosis.
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, usually progressive disease in which the immune system attacks and degrades the function of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord by destroying myelin (a process known as demyelination) and eventually the nerve fibers themselves. Myelin is a fatty layer of membranes that insulates nerves, facilitating the transmission of electrical impulses through nerve pathways that control all neurological functions. In people with MS, disruption in neurological function often leads to impairments in movement, bowel/bladder function, vision and sexual function. More than 400,000 people in the U.S. and nearly 2.5 million people worldwide are living with MS.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Founded in 1995, Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with neurological disorders.
Acorda has an industry leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies addressing a range of disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, migraine and multiple sclerosis. Acorda markets three FDA-approved therapies, including AMPYRA® (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg.Acorda, Acorda Therapeutics, Ampyra and MS Self are registered trademarks of Acorda Therapeutics Inc.
For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.acorda.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding management's expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects should be considered forward-looking. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including: the ability to realize the benefits anticipated from the Biotie and Civitas transactions, among other reasons because acquired development programs are generally subject to all the risks inherent in the drug development process and our knowledge of the risks specifically relevant to acquired programs generally improves over time; the ability to successfully integrate Biotie’s operations and Civitas’ operations, respectively, into our operations; we may need to raise additional funds to finance our expanded operations and may not be able to do so on acceptable terms; our ability to successfully market and sell Ampyra (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg in the U.S.; third party payers (including governmental agencies) may not reimburse for the use of Ampyra or our other products at acceptable rates or at all and may impose restrictive prior authorization requirements that limit or block prescriptions; the risk of unfavorable results from future studies of Ampyra or from our other research and development programs, including CVT-301 or any other acquired or in-licensed programs; we may not be able to complete development of, obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully market CVT-301, any other products under development, or the products that we will acquire when we complete the Biotie transaction; the occurrence of adverse safety events with our products; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of or to successfully market Fampyra outside of the U.S. and our dependence on our collaborator Biogen in connection therewith; competition; failure to protect our intellectual property, to defend against the intellectual property claims of others or to obtain third party intellectual property licenses needed for the commercialization of our products; and failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in adverse action by regulatory agencies.
These and other risks are described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We may not actually achieve the goals or plans described in our forward-looking statements, and investors should not place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press release.
