ioTek reMEDys Champions Year-Round Education and Awareness for Autoinflammatory and Rare Diseases
In a powerful and ongoing commitment to patient advocacy, BioTek reMEDys—a nationally recognized, multi-site integrated infusion therapy provider—has issued a public call for sustained, year-round education and awareness surrounding rare diseases, with a particular emphasis on autoinflammatory conditions. While August is recognized globally as International Autoinflammatory Awareness Month, the company stresses that the need for understanding, support, and resources for those affected by these complex and often misunderstood disorders extends far beyond a single month.
Autoinflammatory diseases represent a distinct category of rare disorders rooted in dysregulation of the innate immune system—the body’s first line of defense against infection. Unlike autoimmune diseases, which involve the adaptive immune system mistakenly targeting healthy tissues, autoinflammatory conditions arise when the innate immune system becomes overactive without an apparent trigger. This malfunction leads immune cells to erroneously signal the body to attack its own healthy tissues, resulting in recurrent and often debilitating episodes of systemic inflammation.
Symptoms of autoinflammatory diseases can be both severe and varied, commonly including unexplained fevers, rashes, joint swelling, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Left untreated or undiagnosed, these inflammatory flares can lead to long-term complications, including a serious condition known as amyloidosis. Amyloidosis occurs when an abnormal protein—typically serum amyloid A (SAA)—builds up in vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, or heart. This accumulation can impair organ function and, in severe cases, prove fatal. The risk of amyloidosis underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis and consistent, effective management of autoinflammatory diseases.
Many of these conditions are genetic in origin, caused by mutations in specific genes that regulate key inflammatory pathways. For example, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) are all linked to identifiable genetic mutations that disrupt normal protein function. While these disorders are individually rare—often affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States—they collectively impact tens of thousands of individuals and families who face significant diagnostic delays, limited treatment options, and a profound lack of public and even medical awareness.
This is where BioTek reMEDys steps in—not only as a provider of specialized infusion therapies but as a dedicated advocate for the rare disease community. The company recognizes that awareness must be more than a seasonal campaign; it must be woven into the fabric of healthcare education, policy, and public discourse throughout the year.
“Auto-inflammatory conditions and rare disease at large present such a tremendous challenge for patients, their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers,” said Andrew Babb, PharmD, CSP, IgCP, Chief Pharmacy Officer at BioTek reMEDys. “Information, support, and guidance can be scarce, which only exacerbates the stress these patients feel. At BioTek reMEDys, we are committed to fostering awareness and will continue to advocate for the Rare Disease Community at a local and national level.”
Babb’s leadership extends beyond the walls of BioTek reMEDys. His expertise and passion for rare disease advocacy recently earned him a seat on the inaugural Delaware Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)—a milestone achievement in state-level rare disease policy. Established through Senate Bill 55 by the 152nd General Assembly and housed within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the RDAC brings together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including community advocates, clinicians, researchers, and government officials. Its mission is threefold: to educate medical professionals and the public about rare diseases as a critical public health issue, to influence policy and legislation that supports rare disease patients, and to champion increased funding for research and therapeutic development.
BioTek reMEDys’ involvement in such initiatives reflects its deep-rooted commitment to the communities it serves. As an infusion therapy provider specializing in the complex needs of patients with rare and chronic conditions, the company understands firsthand the barriers these individuals face—from delayed diagnoses to limited access to life-changing treatments.
“Because many autoinflammatory conditions are statistically rare, they can often be misdiagnosed or dismissed as psychosomatic or ‘just stress,’” explained Chai Gadde, CEO and founder of BioTek reMEDys. “This diagnostic odyssey can last years, during which time patients suffer needlessly and risk irreversible complications. As an organization focused on the highly specific needs of patients living with rare conditions, we hope to help shine a light on the importance of education about these diseases—not just among the public, but crucially among primary care providers and specialists who may be the first to encounter these puzzling symptoms.”
The good news, Gadde emphasizes, is that many autoinflammatory diseases are highly treatable once correctly identified. Therapies often include biologic medications that target specific inflammatory pathways—such as interleukin-1 inhibitors (e.g., anakinra, canakinumab) or TNF-alpha blockers—that can dramatically reduce or even eliminate flare-ups. These treatments, frequently administered via infusion or injection, require specialized handling, monitoring, and patient support—services that BioTek reMEDys is uniquely equipped to provide through its integrated care model.
But treatment is only part of the equation. Equally vital is the ecosystem of support surrounding the patient: access to knowledgeable clinicians, financial assistance programs, mental health resources, and peer networks. BioTek reMEDys integrates these elements into its care delivery, ensuring that patients receive not just medication, but comprehensive, compassionate support tailored to the realities of living with a rare disease.
The company’s advocacy efforts also aim to influence broader systemic change. By participating in councils like Delaware’s RDAC and collaborating with national organizations such as the Autoinflammatory Alliance and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), BioTek reMEDys helps amplify patient voices and push for policies that improve access to care, accelerate research, and reduce the stigma often associated with invisible illnesses.
