Collaboration through the Asia Pacific MPS Network (APMN), Asia Pacific MPS Registry (APMR), and Association for Research of MPS & Rare Diseases (ARMRD)

Though the rate of incidence of each rare disease, including mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS), is low, this is not the case if they are taken as a whole. Rare diseases often have genetic causes and vary in type. However, the signs and symptoms vary greatly by disease, making it difficult to make accurate diagnoses and conduct necessary research, which is why we believe it is a field that deserves more attention and research. It is important to establish an infrastructure of experts in each country and promote cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region in order to improve specialist training and communication. Given the need for a system of cooperation, the Asia Pacific MPS Network (APMN) was established by several MPS experts in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan in January 2013. Thereafter, the Asia Pacific MPS Registry (APMR), an electronic remote data system, was established by the APMN. Then, the Association for Research of MPS & Rare Diseases (ARMRD), an academic society that supports research on MPS and other rare diseases, was established by President Dong-Kyu Jin in April in 2015. The main task of the ARMRD is to support APMN-related work. The ARMRD published a uniform guideline that reflects the characteristics and circumstances of local patients through the Korean MPS Expert Council. Now, the APMN, APMR, and the annual Korean MPS Symposium are supported by ARMRD. Organizations like the APMN and APMR are necessary because international cooperation and collaboration are needed to conduct clinical trials on those diseases. ARMRD members hope to encourage the interest of experts and researchers of MPS & rare diseases as well as active participation in the research and treatment of patients suffering from rare diseases, including MPS, to ultimately improve the quality of life of the patients as well as their families.