United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics was founded in 1996 by Martine Rothblatt,{{cite news |last1=Piore |first1=Adam |title=Pharma CEO Faces Personal Fight for a New Breed of Organ Donors |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-07-30/pharma-ceo-rothblatt-faces-personal-fight-for-new-breed-of-organ-donors |access-date=8 August 2021 |work=Bloomberg News |date=July 30, 2021}} an American lawyer, author, and entrepreneur, who created Sirius XM. {{cite magazine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/martine-rothblatt-she-founded-siriusxm-a-religion-and-a-biotech-for-starters/2014/12/11/5a8a4866-71ab-11e4-ad12-3734c461eab6_story.html |title=Martine Rothblatt: She founded SiriusXM, a religion and a biotech. For starters. |author=Tucker, Neely |date=December 12, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |magazine=Washington Post}} In 1994, Rothblatt's young daughter was diagnosed with a fatal orphan disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).{{cite magazine | url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2002/0107/138.html | title=Jeni's Oil | magazine=Forbes | date=July 1, 2002 | access-date=November 19, 2015 | author=Moukheiber, Zina}} Rothblatt sold her telecom stock and started the PPH Cure Foundation to fund PAH research.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/united-therapeutics/|title=United Therapeutics (UTHR)|website=Forbes}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2010/0510/second-acts-pharmaceuticals-orphan-drugs-pah-deep-breaths.html |title=From Satellites To Pharmaceuticals |magazine=Forbes |date=April 22, 2010 |first=Matthew |last=Herper |access-date=September 8, 2014 }}

In 2002, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved United Therapeutics' drug Remodulin,{{cite web | url=http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2002/21-272_Remodulin.cfm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510044757/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2002/21-272_Remodulin.cfm | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 10, 2012 | title=Drug Approval Package: Remodulin (Treprostinil Sodium) Injection | publisher=FDA | date=21 May 2002 | access-date=November 19, 2015}} a prostacyclin vasodilator used to treat PAH. Remodulin provided PAH patients with an alternative to GlaxoSmithKline's Flolan. By 2003, Remodulin annual sales had reached $50 million. By 2010, annual sales were $300 million and United Therapeutics' share price had increased 800 percent from the 1999 initial public offering price.

In 2011, United Therapeutics acquired Revivicor, a company focused on developing genetic biotechnology platforms to provide alternative tissue sources for treatment.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/united-therapeutics-corp-uthr-todays-most-compelling-stock-buy-2013-04-22 |title=United Therapeutics Corp Biotechnology: Why We Like The Stock |publisher=NASDAQ |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=September 28, 2020}} With the acquisition of Revivicor, United Therapeutics began the xenokidney program to find alternative sources of organs for patients awaiting a kidney transplant. Xenotransplantation is a potential solution as it possibly could provide a limitless supply of organs.

In 2018, the company acquired SteadyMed, a medical device company developing injectable therapeutic drugs for pulmonary hypertension.{{Cite web|last=Gilgore|first=Sara|date=2021-03-21|title=Washington Business Journal|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2021/03/03/united-therapeutics-drops-steadymed-s-trevyent.html|access-date=2022-01-26|website=www.bizjournals.com}} Other acquisitions include SynQuest in 1999 and Cooke Pharma in 2000.{{Cite web|title=United Therapeutics buying Cooke Pharma - Pharmaceutical industry news|url=https://www.thepharmaletter.com/article/united-therapeutics-buying-cooke-pharma|access-date=2022-01-25|website=www.thepharmaletter.com}} United Therapeutics has entered numerous licensing agreements and collaborations with companies such as Eli Lilly and Company, DEKA Research & Development, MannKind Corporation,{{cite web|url=https://investors.mannkindcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/united-therapeutics-and-mannkind-announce-collaboration|title=Mannkind Investors|date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2023}} and the National Cancer Institute.

In 2021, United Therapeutics converted to a benefit corporation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-therapeutics-converts-to-a-public-benefit-corporation-following-shareholder-approval-301388821.html|title=United Therapeutics Converts to a Public Benefit Corporation Following Shareholder Approval|website=PRNewswire}}

On January 7, 2022, a porcine heart provided by United Therapeutics' Revivicor subsidiary in conjunction with the University of Maryland Medical Center was used in the first pig-to-human transplant operation.{{Cite web|title=First Pig to Human Heart|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-022-01238-w#:~:text=Surgeons%20from%20the%20University%20of,wholly%20owned%20by%20United%20Therapeutics|access-date=March 15, 2023|website=Nature Biotechnology|language=en}} The recipient subsequently died on March 8, 2022.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-09 |title=Man given genetically modified pig heart dies |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60681493 |access-date=2023-08-18}}

In October 2023, United Therapeutics purchased bioengineering company IVIVA Medical, Inc. for $50 million plus royalties. Sixteen IVIVA employees transferred to United Therapeutics.{{Cite web|lang=en|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/UNITED-THERAPEUTICS-CORPO-11262/news/United-Therapeutics-Corporation-acquired-IVIVA-Medical-Inc-for-50-million-45540431/|title=United Therapeutics Corporation acquired IVIVA Medical, Inc. for $50 million.|website=Marketscreener|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-date=2024-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325192007/https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/UNITED-THERAPEUTICS-CORPO-11262/news/United-Therapeutics-Corporation-acquired-IVIVA-Medical-Inc-for-50-million-45540431/}}

In December 2023, United Therapeutics Corporation completed the acquisition of Miromatrix Medical Inc., a biotechnology company that specializes in the development of bioengineered organs composed of human cells.{{Cite web|lang=en|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231030193080/en/United-Therapeutics-to-Acquire-Miromatrix-Medical/|title=United Therapeutics to Acquire Miromatrix Medical|website=Businesswire|access-date=2024-03-25|archive-date=2023-11-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104003336/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231030193080/en/United-Therapeutics-to-Acquire-Miromatrix-Medical/}}

United Therapeutics products are sold in the U.S. and Canada, and its products are available in Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia through various distribution partners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1082554/000108255422000004/uthr-20211231.htm|title=United Therapeutic Corporation Form 10-K|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 24, 2022}} In the U.S., the company has received multiple approvals from the Food and Drug Administration.{{cite web|url=https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/search_product.cfm |title=Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration |date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2020}} These cover various strengths and routes of administration for Orenitram, Remodulin, Tyvaso, and Tyvaso DPI, each indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Tyvaso and Tyvaso DPI are also indicated for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD).

United Therapeutics also markets Adcirca (tadalafil) for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension under a licensing agreement with Eli Lilly and Company.{{Cite web|title=United Therapeutics reworks deal ahead of a key patent's expiration |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/05/19/united-therapeutics-reworks-deal-ahead-of-a-key.html|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.bizjournals.com}}

In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance for the Unity Subcutaneous Delivery System for Remodulin Injection, also known as the Remunity pump, allowing the system to be used with drug cassettes that have been prefilled by specialty pharmacies.{{cite web|url=https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/united-therapeutics-and-deka-announce-additional-fda-clearance-related-to-the-unity-subcutaneous-delivery-system-for-remodulin-/ |title=United Therapeutics and DEKA Announce Additional FDA Clearance Related to the Unity Subcutaneous Delivery System for Remodulin |publisher=BioSpace |date=February 24, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020}} The Remunity system allows for constant, subcutaneous (under-the-skin) delivery of Remodulin. The Remunity system is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients older than 22.{{cn|date=April 2024}}

In March 2015, the U.S. FDA approved United Therapeutics' Biologics License Application (BLA) for Unituxin.{{cite web|url=https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2015/dinutuximab-neuroblastoma |title=FDA Approves First Therapy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma |publisher=National Cancer Institute |date=March 27, 2015 |access-date=September 30, 2020}} Unituxin is a monoclonal antibody used as a second-line treatment for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

In May 2022, the U.S. FDA approved United Therapeutics' New Drug Application (NDA) for Tyvaso DPI.{{cite web|url=https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/fda-approves-inhaled-treprostinil-for-pah-and-phild |title=FDA Approves Inhaled Treprostinil for PAH and PH-ILD|publisher=U.S. Pharmacist|date=May 24, 2022 |access-date=March 17, 2023}} Tyvaso DPI is a dry powder inhaler containing treprostinil and is indicated for both PAH and PH-ILD.

United Therapeutics is advancing a pipeline of research and development projects that includes new indications, formulations, and delivery devices for its existing products. The company's R&D pipeline includes five registration phase studies, primarily in rare lung diseases, and seven preclinical product leads, primarily in organ manufacturing.

In February 2020, United Therapeutics reported that it had successfully completed the INCREASE study of Tyvaso in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD) and that the study met its primary endpoint of demonstrating improvement in six-minute walk distance (6MWD).{{cite web|url=https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/united-therapeutics-announces-increase-study-of-tyvaso-meets-primary-and-all-secondary-endpoints/ |title=United Therapeutics Announces INCREASE Study Of Tyvaso® Meets Primary And All Secondary Endpoints |publisher=BioSpace |date=February 24, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020}} The company submitted the INCREASE study results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in support of an efficacy supplement to the Tyvaso New Drug Application and received approval on March 31, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-therapeutics-announces-fda-approval-and-launch-of-tyvaso-for-the-treatment-of-pulmonary-hypertension-associated-with-interstitial-lung-disease-301260212.html|title=United Therapeutics Announces FDA Approval and Launch of Tyvaso|website=PRNewswire}}

Ongoing clinical trials of new medicines include ADVANCE OUTCOMES (Phase 3) for ralinepag in pulmonary arterial hypertension; a registration study of the Centralized Lung Evaluation System;{{cite web|url=https://www.lungbioengineering.com/clinicaltrial-03641677/|title=Clinical Trial of Centralized Lung Evaluation|publisher=Lung Bioengineering|access-date=March 19, 2023}} and TETON 1 and TETON 2 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).{{cite web|url= https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1082554/000108255422000026/uthr-20220930.htm|title=United Therapeutics Corporation Form 10-Q|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=March 14, 2023}}

United Therapeutics is developing a unique type of biopharmaceutical medicinal product known as a manufactured organ. This type of biologic would be transplanted into the patient as a substitute for a failing organ. The company has regenerative medicine products such as these being developed via xenotransplantation, allogenic recellularization, and autologous bioprinting technologies.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2018/06/20/how-ceo-martine-rothblatt-turns-moonshots-into-earthshots/#3c8fd18e73d3 |title=How CEO Martine Rothblatt Turns Moonshots Into Earthshots |magazine=Forbes |date=June 20, 2018 |access-date=September 16, 2020 | author=Sorvino, Chloe}}

In 2021, researchers at New York University used a ThymoKidney xenokidney in the first transplant of a genetically engineered, nonhuman kidney into a brain-dead human body, observing kidney function over 54 hours.{{cite web|url=https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/united-therapeutics-announces-increase-study-of-tyvaso-meets-primary-and-all-secondary-endpoints/ |title= Progress in Xenotransplantation Opens Door to New Supply of Critically Needed Organs |publisher=NYU Langone Health|access-date=March 19, 2023}} Researchers at The University of Alabama at Birmingham used a UKidney xenokidney in a transplant into a brain-dead recipient, observing kidney function over 77 hours.{{cite web|url=https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/12567-the-10-gene-pig-and-other-medical-science-advances-enabled-uab-s-transplant-of-a-pig-kidney-into-a-brain-dead-human-recipient|title=The 10-gene pig and other medical science advances|publisher=UAB News|access-date=March 15, 2023}}

In 2021, engineers from the company's Unither Bioelectronics subsidiary conducted the first flight of human lungs for transplant from Toronto Western Hospital to Toronto General Hospital.{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8259475/drones-organ-delivery-uhn-unither-bioelectronique/|title=Quebec company behind world's first delivery of lungs by drone|publisher=October 12, 2021 Global News}} The lungs were successfully transplanted into Alain Hodak, an engineer from Ottawa, Canada.{{cite web|url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/drone-lung-delivery-toronto-1.6209330|title= How lungs delivered by drone saved an Ontario man's life

|publisher=CBC October 13, 2021}}

In 2022, the UHeart xenoheart was used in the first pig heart to living human transplant. {{Cite web |title=Here's how scientists pulled off the first pig-to-human heart transplant |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/here-s-how-scientists-pulled-first-pig-human-heart-transplant |access-date=2022-08-20 |website=www.science.org |language=en}} The transplanted pig heart had ten genetic modifications to the pig genome.{{Citation |title=What's the future of organ transplantation? - CNN Video |date=10 June 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2022/06/03/martine-rothblatt-life-itself-wellness.cnn |access-date=2022-08-20}}

In 2022, Martine Rothblatt debuted a 3D printed lung scaffold that was what she called one of the "most complex 3D printed objects ever printed."{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/united-therapeutics-provides-organ-printing-100000247.html|title=United Therapeutics Provides an Update on Its Organ Printing Programs|publisher=June 6, 2022 Yahoo Finance }} The printed lung scaffold contained 44 trillion voxels that laid out 4,000 kilometers of pulmonary capillaries and 200 million pulmonary alveoli.

United Therapeutics owns a 415,000-square-foot combination laboratory and office building complex in Silver Spring, Maryland. The facility serves as the company's co-headquarters and is used for commercial manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage form products. United Therapeutics also owns a 380,000-square-foot combination manufacturing plant and office building in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The facility serves as the company's co-headquarters and is occupied by clinical research and development, commercialization, logistics, manufacturing, and packaging personnel. Adjacent to its Research Triangle Park complex, United Therapeutics owns a 132-acre site containing approximately 330,000 square feet of building space that is used for research, development and manufacturing related to the company's lung regeneration program. This site is available for future expansion.United Therapeutics Corp. [http://www.unither.com/company-locations.html "Locations."] Accessed October 3, 2020.

United Therapeutics subsidiaries include Lung Biotechnology PBC; Lung Bioengineering Inc.; Miromatrix Medical; United Therapeutics Europe, Ltd.; Unither Biotech Inc., Canada; Unither Pharma, LLC; Unither Telmed, Ltd.; Unither Bioélectronique, Quebec; IVIVA Medical; and Revivicor, Inc.{{cite web|url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.united_therapeutics_corporation.74ad773d4c03346fcc7338c7e4e37f40.html |title=United Therapeutics Corporation: Company Profile |publisher=Dun&Bradstreet |access-date=September 23, 2020}} As of December 2023, United Therapeutics had a global workforce of 1,168.{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1082554/000108255424000005/uthr-20231231.htm|title=United Therapeutics Corporation Form 10-K |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=February 21, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024}} On June 1, 2024, United Therapeutics' market capitalization was $12.3 billion.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=united+therapeutics+NASDAQ|title=NASDAQ Quote United Therapeutics Corporation (UTHE) |publisher=NASDAQ |date=June 1, 2024 |access-date=June 1, 2024}}

United Therapeutics' subsidiary Lung Biotechnology PBC was the first public benefit corporation subsidiary of a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company. Utilizing perfusion, Lung Biotechnology pursued innovative technology that could preserve lungs for transplant by stabilizing lungs that would otherwise be discarded. The objective was to address the acute shortage of transplantable lungs for patients with end-stage lung disease, including PAH.

In 2020, United Therapeutics established a minimum "living wage" of approximately $75,000 per year for employees, inclusive of incentive pay. Fulltime employees are shareholders of the company through United Therapeutics' long-term incentive programs. United Therapeutics has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Corporate Citizens in the field of U.S. drug manufacturing, along with companies such as Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2016/12/01/corporate-citizens-drug-makers-pharma/ |title=Some drug makers are better corporate citizens than others |magazine=STAT News |date=December 1, 2016 |access-date=March 15, 2021 | author=Silverman, Ed}} United Therapeutics was named on Fortune's Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma 2021{{cite magazine |date= |title=Fortune Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma™ 2021 |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/health-care/2021?category=biopharma |access-date=March 17, 2021 |magazine=Fortune}} (third consecutive year); The Washington Post's Top Workplaces for 2020{{cite magazine |date= |title=Top Workplaces 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/business/top-workplaces/ |access-date=March 15, 2021 |magazine=The Washington Post}} (sixth consecutive year); Fortune's Best Small & Medium Workplaces 2020{{cite magazine |date= |title=Fortune Best Small & Medium Workplace 2020 |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/smb/2020?category=medium |access-date=March 15, 2021 |magazine=Fortune}} (third consecutive year); and Fortune's Best Workplaces for Millennials™ 2020.{{cite magazine |date= |title=Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennial 2020 |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/millennials/2020?category=small-and-medium |access-date=March 15, 2021 |magazine=Fortune}} In 2019, United Therapeutics received Women in Technology's Corporate Board Award and was named on Triangle Business Journal's "Best Places to Work List" for the sixth consecutive year.{{cite magazine |date= |title=Women in Technology 2019 Leadership Award Winners |url=https://www.womenintechnology.org/2019-leadership-award-winners |access-date=March 9, 2021 |magazine=Women in Technology}} The company was also named to Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies list in 2022{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/americas-most-responsible-companies-2022|title=America's Most Responsible Companies 2022|publisher=Newsweek|access-date=March 15, 2023}} and 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-most-responsible-companies-2023|title=America's Most Responsible Companies 2023|publisher=Newsweek|access-date=March 15, 2023}}

United Therapeutics facilities include one Platinum and two Gold LEED certified buildings, as rated by the U.S. Green Building Council, and four net zero buildings located across three states. Innovative, energy-efficient building design, multiple solar arrays, purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offsets, and other green energy technologies have enabled United Therapeutics to achieve a sustainable urban campus. At the time of its construction, United Therapeutics' site net-zero "Unisphere," a 135,000 square foot high-rise office building in Silver Spring, Maryland, was the largest urban office building to be energy positive. Using extensive solar arrays, heat mediating wells, and other leading-edge design technologies, Unisphere generates more energy on site than it consumes.

United Therapeutics has implemented corporate governance best practices ahead of industry peers and the Russell 3000. These include adopting majority voting and proxy access policies, initiating a Board declassification process, and imposing a tighter limit on director outside board membership. The Board of Directors engages with company shareholders multiple times each year to discuss governance and operations priorities. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, United Therapeutics published a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility report.United Therapeutics Corp. [https://ir.unither.com/news/press-releases/press-release-details/2022/United-Therapeutics-Releases-Its-Annual-Corporate-Responsibility-Report-and-Inaugural-Public-Benefit-Report/default.aspx] Accessed March 15, 2023

In 2021, United Therapeutics shareholders approved the conversion of the company into a public benefit corporation (PBC).{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-therapeutics-converts-to-a-public-benefit-corporation-following-shareholder-approval-301388821.html|title=United Therapeutics Converts to a Public Benefit Corporation Following Shareholder Approval|website=PRNewswire}} As a PBC, United Therapeutics, while creating value for shareholders, must also consider the best interests of those materially affected by the company's conduct and the specific public benefit that it chooses to adopt in its charter. PBCs like United Therapeutics are intended to produce public benefits and to operate in a responsible and sustainable manner. United Therapeutics public benefit purpose is "to provide a brighter future for patients through (a) the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and (b) technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs."{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1082554/000120677421002244/uthr_courtesy-pdf |title=Letter to Shareholders|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=March 12, 2023}}

Martine Aliana Rothblatt, founder and chairperson{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1082554/000120677422001280/uthr3994981-def14a.htm|title=Letter to Shareholders|publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|access-date=March 18, 2023}} of the board of United Therapeutics, graduated from University of California, Los Angeles, with J.D. and M.B.A. degrees in 1981. In June 2001, she earned a Ph.D. in medical ethics at the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. Rothblatt worked in Washington, D.C., first in the field of communications satellite law, and eventually in life sciences projects like the Human Genome Project. She also served as the CEO of GeoStar and the creator of SiriusXM Satellite Radio.[8] [7] Michael Benkowitz serves as president and chief operating officer; James Edgemond is chief financial officer and treasurer; Paul Mahon is general counsel. She is also a trans woman.

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