Lundbeck Announces National Expansion of Epilepsy Art Therapy Program Marked by Gallery Showcase at the World’s Premier Annual Meeting Addressing Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Untitled, Sean Kelley, Chicago, Pastel on Paper. "Epilepsy has kept me from doing so many things that I have wanted to do throughout my life... when I tried getting into sports again, my seizures went out of control and my dreams of becoming a fighter in the ring were gone... I did boxing gloves because all I ever wanted to do was box, but because of epilepsy that dream will always just be a dream" (Photo: Business Wire)

BALTIMORE--()--Today, Lundbeck announced its Studio E: The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program will be made available in 21 cities next year through partnerships with local Epilepsy Foundation affiliates across the country. Earlier this year, Studio E was launched to offer group art therapy sessions as an outlet of expression for people with epilepsy. In celebration of artwork created during these sessions and to mark the expansion of the program, an art gallery will be showcased Sunday, Dec. 4, at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting.

Studio E was made available in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Houston during 2011 through a partnership between Lundbeck and each city’s local Epilepsy Foundation affiliate. During weekly sessions that lasted four-to-five weeks, adult participants worked with licensed art therapists using a variety of artistic media, including painting, sketching and sculpting. The process allowed participants to strengthen their voice, express emotions, and share their experiences. Special art therapy sessions were also made available to children in Chicago and Los Angeles.

“The Studio E gallery at AES speaks for itself in terms of how art can provide a powerful therapeutic means for people with epilepsy to express emotions that may be otherwise difficult to articulate,” said Daniel Brennan, vice president and general manager of neurology products at Lundbeck. “As a company deeply committed to the epilepsy community, we are proud to partner with Epilepsy Foundation affiliates across the country to significantly expand this program in 2012.”

To develop and implement the program, Lundbeck worked closely with the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, which has made an art therapy program available in its community for several years. The organization’s previous programming served as the basis for Studio E, and their guidance and insight have been integral to the success of this national program.

“As the premier international meeting for physicians specializing in epilepsy and other seizure disorders, AES provides an ideal venue to showcase the therapeutic power of Studio E,” said Philip Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. “Through our local program here in Chicago, we’ve seen the impact of art therapy and are thrilled to work with Lundbeck to bring this experience to even more people with epilepsy.”

In 2012, Studio E will be made available through local Epilepsy Foundation affiliates in the following cities and/or surrounding areas:

         

- Albany, N.Y.

         

- Louisville, Ky.

- Atlanta, Ga.

- Madison, Wis.

- Boston, Mass.

- Miami, Fla.

- Chicago, Ill.

- Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.

- Cincinnati, Ohio

- Phoenix, Ariz.

- Denver, Colo.

- Pittsburgh, Pa.

- Detroit, Mich.

- Rockford, Ill.

- Houston, Texas

- San Francisco, Calif.

- Knoxville, Tenn.

- Seattle, Wash.

- Long Island, N.Y.

- Trenton, N.J.

- Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Specific program details will be made available in early 2012; meanwhile people can learn more about Studio E by calling 877-9-STUDIO (877-978-8346).

About Studio E: The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program

In 2011, Lundbeck launched Studio E: The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program to offer group art therapy sessions to people with epilepsy. Hosted by local Epilepsy Foundation affiliates in partnership with Lundbeck, Studio E gives people the opportunity to take part in multiple art therapy sessions with certified art therapists.

Studio E participants create art using a variety of mediums such as painting, sketching and sculpting. The process allows them to strengthen their voice, express emotions, and share their experiences. Studio E uses an open studio approach, which promotes freedom of expression and open discussion.

About Lundbeck in the U.S.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of H. Lundbeck A/S of Denmark, Lundbeck in the U.S. is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, and is committed to providing innovative specialty therapies that fulfill unmet medical needs of people with central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including challenging seizure disorders.

With a special commitment to addressing the needs of the epilepsy community, Lundbeck makes several therapies available in the U.S. for people with difficult-to-treat seizure disorders and actively participates in many community-based initiatives, including its recently launched program Studio E: The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program. Each year, Lundbeck employees actively support and participate in more than 100 epilepsy awareness events as part of their ongoing commitment to make a difference for those impacted by epilepsy.

For more information, please visit www.lundbeckus.com.

About Lundbeck

H. Lundbeck A/S (LUN.CO, LUN DC, HLUKY) is an international pharmaceutical company highly committed to improving the quality of life for people suffering from brain disorders. For this purpose, Lundbeck is engaged in the research, development, production, marketing and sale of pharmaceuticals across the world. The company's products are targeted at disorders such as depression and anxiety, schizophrenia, insomnia, epilepsy, Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Lundbeck was founded in 1915 by Hans Lundbeck in Copenhagen, Denmark. Today Lundbeck employs approximately 5,900 people worldwide. Lundbeck is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies working with brain disorders. In 2010, the company's revenue was DKK 14.8 billion (approximately EUR 2.0 billion or USD 2.6 billion). For more information, please visit www.lundbeck.com.

Contacts

for Lundbeck
Matt Flesch, 847-922-2871

Contacts

for Lundbeck
Matt Flesch, 847-922-2871