Difference. At BioCryst, we are committed to operating our business responsibly and sustainably, focusing on activities and initiatives that will make the biggest difference and have the most impact on improving patients’ health and well-being. We strive to actively improve the lives of the patients we serve, our employees and the communities in which we live, and not just check the boxes of corporate responsibility for the sake of checking boxes. Our company’s unique culture reflects this commitment to making a difference. In fact, making a difference and being a different kind of company is so important that it is one of the four metrics our Board of Directors uses to assess our annual company performance.
BioCryst is focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral medicines for rare diseases that have the potential to improve or save lives. We are focused on delivering on our commitment to the patients we serve while enhancing the communities we live in and fostering a thriving, diverse and rewarding workplace for our employees.
Expanding Patient Access to our Medicines
Our goal is to make a difference in the lives of patients by enabling every patient who wants one of our medicines to have access to it. We are not there yet, but we are taking important steps towards achieving this objective. Our early access programs, in certain markets, provide patients an opportunity to benefit from some of our therapies prior to regulatory approval. Our long-term extension studies provide continued access to our therapies for patients who participate in our clinical trials, regardless of geography, even after the main clinical trial has concluded. In addition, our patient assistance programs can provide medicine at no cost to eligible patients who do not have insurance coverage.
Embracing Diversity
We value diversity of all kinds at BioCryst. Diversity of thought, experience and skill is important because it makes us better and creates a beautiful fabric in our company. We seek and attract diversity at all levels of the company, from the Board through the management team and our employees. We believe diversity is good for our business and enables us to make better decisions for our customers, employees and shareholders.
Creating new STEM opportunities in our Community
As BioCryst has grown, we have created STEM employment opportunities through our hiring, but minorities continue to be underrepresented in STEM careers and there are many children in our communities who do not have access to a strong STEM education. To help make a difference by creating STEM opportunities for the next generation, we have collaborated with the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina to create an afterschool mentorship program that enables students at a local middle school to partner with a BioCryst mentor to learn about and participate in STEM activities at the museum. We are proud of the difference this program is making to provide more minority access to STEM, and we plan to broaden our efforts in this area.
Corporate Governance
BioCryst’s Board of Directors sets high standards for our employees, officers and directors. Implicit in this philosophy is the importance of sound corporate governance. It is the duty of the Board of Directors to serve as a prudent fiduciary for shareholders and to oversee the management of our business. To fulfill its responsibilities and to discharge its duty, the Board of Directors follows the procedures and standards that are set forth in our Code of Conduct and other corporate governance documents. These documents are subject to modification from time to time as the Board of Directors deems appropriate in the best interests of BioCryst or as required by applicable laws and regulations.