Career of Diabetes and Medical Pioneer Al Mann Honored at Boston Gala

BOSTON, June 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MannKind Corporation MNKD, a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on patient experience, acknowledged today that Executive Chairman Alfred Mann was honored last night at a gala for his extensive work in the progression and advancement of diabetes technologies and advocacy.

Held in conjunction with the 75th annual American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in Boston, the reception was co-hosted by Kelly L. Close, leading diabetes advocate and founder of the diaTribe Foundation, along with Dr. Steven Edelman, nationally recognized endocrinologist and founder of Take Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD). In addition to last night's honors, Mr. Mann was also recently awarded the JDRF's Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the leading awards in diabetes internationally.

During the event, several diabetes patients expressed the personal impact that Mann's biomedical advances have made in disease management.

"Al Mann changed the lives of countless patients with diabetes," said Ms. Close. "Without him, I might not be here today. His introduction of the insulin pump, pioneering work in continuous glucose monitoring, and continued innovation with his most recent product, Afrezza, has solidified Mann's lasting footprint on diabetes care."

Mann devoted his career to fulfilling unmet patient needs in a range of areas, helping those who were blind, deaf or suffering from complications of chronic diseases. "Diabetes or otherwise, it is doubtful many of today's greatest medical technologies would ever have reached the market if not for Al's tenacity and dedication. Al created an avalanche of technology," added Dr. Steven Edelman.

The event marked the incredible achievements of Alfred Mann. Today, MannKind Corporation applauds Mann and his life's work in making chronic disease more manageable from the patient perspective.

About MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation MNKD focuses on the discovery and development of therapeutic products for patients with diseases such as diabetes. MannKind maintains a website at http://www.mannkindcorp.com to which MannKind regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about MannKind. Interested persons can subscribe on the MannKind website to e-mail alerts that are sent automatically when MannKind issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the website.