Did you know that there are about 7,000 known rare diseases? Right now, about 1 in every 10 people in the U.S. is living with a rare disease. America’s life sciences companies, including thousands in New Jersey alone, are responsible for the innovation that drives the research and development of treatments and cures for Patients in need, including those living with conditions for which there are no treatments on the market.

BioNJ recently sat down with Dr. Ellen Welch, Chief Scientific Officer of PTC Therapeutics, to learn about her work to bring innovative treatments to Patients living with rare diseases and hear her perspective on the importance of protecting medical innovation.

“Innovation doesn’t come overnight…innovation has to come from everywhere.”
– Dr. Ellen Welch, Chief Scientific Officer, PTC Therapeutics

During the conversation, Dr. Welch emphasized how critical it is that medical innovation is adequately protected and funded to support the scientists that work tirelessly to bring treatments to the Patient communities that need them most. The work of Dr. Welch and her peers has changed countless lives in New Jersey and beyond, not only for individual Patients but all communities that benefit from the widespread impacts of innovation.

BioNJ encourages you to watch the conversation using the link below to learn more about the work of PTC Therapeutics and why funding for medical innovation is critical to continue to bring treatments to Patients.