DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today expanded its commitment to education equity, science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) careers and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through its Horizon Scholars program, which now includes a student at Meharry Medical College. The Horizon Scholars program provides scholarships to cover student debt burden while simultaneously offering professional mentorship, peer networking and internships and job opportunities for students.

“Horizon meaningfully supports diversity of thought and experience within STEAM fields through our partnerships with these institutions to ensure a diverse pool of students can go to college, pursue their STEAM dreams, and achieve their full career potential,” said Irina Konstantinovsky, executive vice president, chief human resources and chief diversity officer, Horizon. “Education and experiential learning go hand-in-hand when aiming for a successful career and we look forward to empowering these scholars to fully immersing themselves in their higher education without the burden of cost after graduation.”

Horizon’s partnership with Meharry Medical College is the company’s most recent expansion of its commitment to education equity and promoting diversity within our future generation of STEAM leaders. Of the 40 total Horizon Scholars, six, including the newest Meharry scholar, are currently attending programs in liberal arts and health sciences at Howard University, Harris-Stowe State University, Meharry Medical College, and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, a historically Black graduate institution.

Acknowledging that closing the education equity gap cannot occur through financial assistance alone, beyond covering the debt-burden, Horizon simultaneously invests in providing experiential opportunities to its scholars. Each scholar is matched with a Horizon employee for professional mentorship and can access quarterly programming events aimed at developing professional networking skills, building resumes, and practicing mock interviews. Scholars also have the opportunity to meet with employees and learn about internship and job opportunities at Horizon.

About Meharry Medical College

Meharry Medical College, founded in 1876, is the nation’s largest private, independent historically Black academic health sciences center dedicated to educating minority and other health professionals. True to its heritage, it is a United Methodist Church related institution. The college is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. Meharry is a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.. Learn more at Mission and Vision – Meharry Medical College.

About Horizon

Horizon is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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