DUBLIN, IRELAND–(Oct 9, 2015) – Horizon Pharma plc (NASDAQ: HZNP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs, today announced that Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy P. Walbert, received the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Award from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies (IES). The award recognizes distinguished business people who have demonstrated their entrepreneurial talent by fostering a thriving, diversified economic engine in Chicago and have enhanced Chicago’s communities.

“I am honored to receive this award and to be recognized among such a renowned group of Chicago entrepreneurial leaders,” Walbert said. “From our humble beginnings in Palo Alto to becoming an integral part of Chicago’s biotech ecosystem, Horizon has been committed to measuring success not just by the growth of our business, but also through our civic engagement and local philanthropy.”

Walbert joined Horizon Pharma in June 2008 as president and chief executive officer, and he has served as chairman of the company’s board of directors since 2010. In that time, he has grown Horizon Pharma from one employee working out of a coffee shop to more than 700 global employees with offices in four countries. Walbert also serves as chairman of the board of Egalet Corporation (NASDAQ: EGLT) and sits on the boards of directors of XOMA Corporation (NASDAQ: XOMA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO), ChicagoNEXT, which is the World Business Chicago’s innovation business development community, and the Greater Chicago Arthritis Foundation. He is also a member of the Illinois Innovation Council.

Walbert and Horizon Pharma are also active supporters of civic programs that focus on the areas of youth education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs and children’s literacy, among others, as well as programs that foster innovation.

Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Award nominees participated in personal interviews with a panel of judges and members of the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, who evaluated each nominee and selected winners based on their social and commercial contributions to strengthen Chicago’s economic environment and enhance the surrounding communities. The award was presented during the IES’ 30th Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 8, 2015.

About Horizon Pharma plc
Horizon Pharma plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs. The Company markets seven medicines through its orphan, primary care and specialty business units. Horizon’s global headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. For more information, please visit www.horizonpharma.com. Follow @HZNPplc on Twitter or view careers on our LinkedIn page.

About The Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Award
The Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Award is the oldest and most prestigious Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Award. Each year the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame Award recognizes innovative business leaders nominated from throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. For 30 years, we have inducted renowned entrepreneurial leaders into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame community, which now includes nearly 500 individuals. We turn to the members of the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame community to enrich the entrepreneurship experience at UIC. Members have volunteered as speakers, mentors, judges and have sponsored programs and events. Their personal and financial support has been important to advancing our initiatives. By sharing their experiences and lessons learned, they inspire and educate our students, faculty, staff and alumni.

About University of Illinois at Chicago Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
IES is UIC’s resource for inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs. We offer a portfolio of diverse programs — classes, workshops, challenges, and certificates that introduce new venture development skills and experiences. Our programs are applied, interdisciplinary and tailored with a bias toward action. They extend and complement traditional university courses. IES can connect you with experts, mentors, other entrepreneurs and the growing resources of the entrepreneurial community beyond UIC. We are a proud sponsor of the Illinois SBDC at UIC, which has served over 2000 entrepreneurs who launched over 200 businesses, creating 2,600 jobs and securing over $85 million in funding.

Contacts:

Media:
Geoff Curtis
Group Vice President, Corporate Communications
gcurtis@horizonpharma.com