Allergan and Ironwood Launch Campaign Designed to Empower the Nearly 64 Million Americans Estimated to Suffer from IBS and CIC to Talk About Bowel Health(1-5)

DUBLIN and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:IRWD), in partnership with the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), initiated a campaign about the importance of bowel health in recognition of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month, at the Vital Signs of Bowel Health Summit, which took place yesterday in New York City. Nearly 64 million Americans are estimated to be affected by either IBS, which includes Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C), or Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC).^1-5

The summit, hosted by celebrity entrepreneur and Daytime Emmy® nominated talk show host, Wendy Williams, focused on the need for greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of IBS-D, IBS-C and CIC, and the necessity for a deeper dialogue between patients and their healthcare professionals about bowel health. Approximately half of IBS-C and IBS-D patients responding to the 2015 IBS in America survey had taken over the counter medicine for more than a year before discussing their symptoms with a doctor, and 10% wait up to 5 years to a decade.⁶ Host Wendy Williams stressed how important it is that patients not feel ashamed to have bowel health conversations with their healthcare providers. 

"For those who think they may be suffering from IBS-D or IBS-C, the bowel movement conversation needs to start today; no conversation involving our health should feel taboo," said Wendy Williams. "I want to encourage anyone who experiences abdominal pain with constipation or diarrhea to take the lead and initiate a conversation with their healthcare professional, share what they're experiencing and feel comfortable discussing this important issue."

The event also featured leading healthcare experts, including Andrea Shin, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Indiana University Health North Hospital and an AGA spokesperson, who discussed IBS-D, IBS-C and CIC symptoms and emphasized the availability of prescription medications that can help treat these conditions; well-known nutritionist Lauren Slayton, MS, RD, who spoke to the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle as part of a comprehensive approach to managing bowel health in partnership with a healthcare professional; and nutritional psychologist Amanda Baten, PhD, who stressed the emotional impact IBS-D, IBS-C and CIC often have on sufferers. 

"Bowel health, among other factors, may be an indicator of overall health, and changes in bowel health can be an indicator of whether patients may be suffering from gastrointestinal conditions, such as IBS-D, IBS-C or CIC," said Timothy C. Wang, MD, AGAF, Columbia University, New York, NY, President of the AGA. "IBS-D and IBS-C sufferers who responded to the IBS in America survey often rely on over-the-counter products for their symptoms—trying three or more before realizing it's time to seek professional help. Open conversations about bowel health are critical for enabling me to help my IBS and CIC patients find an appropriate treatment option."

Allergan, Ironwood and AGA are committed to supporting programs like Vital Signs of Bowel Health that are designed to empower those impacted by IBS-D and IBS-C to take action toward managing their symptoms and to talk to their healthcare professionals about treatment.

Visit TheToiletTalk.com and AboutYourGut.com for more information and helpful resources.

About the AGA Institute 
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, the AGA has grown to more than 16,000 members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research and educational programs of the organization. Find an AGA member gastroenterologist at www.gastro.org/gilocator. Learn more about IBS at www.gastro.org/IBS.

About Allergan plc
Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma.  Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceuticals, devices and biologic products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, the Company's R&D model, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care.  This approach has led to Allergan building one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry with 70+ mid-to-late stage pipeline programs in development.

Our Company's success is powered by our more than 16,000 global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life.  Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com

About Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: IRWD) is a commercial biotechnology company focused on creating medicines that make a difference for patients, building value for our fellow shareholders, and empowering our passionate team. We are commercializing two innovative primary care products: linaclotide, the U.S. branded prescription market leader for adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), and lesinurad, which is approved to be taken with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with uncontrolled gout. We are also advancing a pipeline of internally and externally generated innovative product candidates in areas of significant unmet need, including uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease and vascular and fibrotic diseases. Ironwood was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit www.ironwoodpharma.com or www.twitter.com/ironwoodpharma; information that may be important to investors will be routinely posted in both these locations.

Forward-Looking Statement 
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including statements about prevalence and unmet need. Each forward‐looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statement. Applicable risks and uncertainties include those related to preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing and formulation development; the risk that future clinical studies need to be discontinued for any reason, including safety, tolerability, enrollment, manufacturing or economic reasons; the risk that findings from our completed nonclinical and clinical studies may not be replicated in later studies; efficacy, safety and tolerability; decisions by regulatory authorities; those risks related to competition and future business decisions made by us and our competitors or potential competitors; developments in the intellectual property landscape; and the risks listed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Ironwood's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in the subsequent SEC filings of each company. These forward-looking statements (except as otherwise noted) speak only as of the date of this press release, and Ironwood and Allergan undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

References
1. Data on file. Forest Laboratories, LLC. 
2. Brandt LJ, Pranther CM, quickly EM, et al. Systematic review on the management of chronic constipation in North America. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005: 100 (suppl 1): S5-S21.
3. Howden LM. Meyer JA. Age and Sex Composition: 2010. Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau; May 2011.
4. Quick Facts. United States Census Bureau website: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/00. Accessed March 24, 2017.
5. Grundmann O, Yoon SL. Irritable bowel syndrome: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment: an update for health-care practitioners. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010;25(4):691-699.
6. GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications for American Gastroenterological Association IBS in America Survey, 2015. "IBS in America."

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SOURCE Allergan plc and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.