Unlocking innovation in the fight against cancer

Cancer is one of the most challenging health crises of our lifetime with millions of Europeans receiving a cancer diagnosis each year.

As Vice President Oncology International Medical Affairs at Pfizer, Dr Kandeepan Ganeshalingam has seen significant progress in the development of novel cancer therapies that improve the outcomes for cancer patients. However, whilst welcoming progress to date, he told The Parliament that more work remains to be done.

“There have been a lot of advances over the last 10 to 20 years in cancer treatments,” Dr Ganeshalingam explains, “However, in 2022 around 2.7 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer and 1.3 million people lost their lives1[1]. We mustn’t forget that.”

That human impact is something that Ganeshalingam himself never forgets. As a practising physician, he is always acutely aware that behind those dizzying numbers are the stories of millions of individuals and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. He gives the example of an artist in France who was able to resume painting following access to an innovative treatment for his cancer. It is one small example, but it is a powerful reminder that advances in treatments can be truly transformational for those affected by this devastating disease.

“I speak to patients and I get to understand them and their lives,” Ganeshalingam tells us. “Cancer care is quite different now because of access to innovative medicines. It is mind-blowingly important for the patient. Their life changes and they get their life back.”

Ganeshalingam is well placed to have a granular understanding of the way that innovation in research is translating into lifesaving treatments for patients. Pfizer is a pharmaceutical industry leader in the fight against cancer, directing around 40% of its R&D investment into oncology. With more than 50 programs in development[2], Ganeshalingam tells us that progress is being made in tackling some of the world’s most common cancers including breast, genitourinary, haematology, and thoracic cancers.

“Our vision at Pfizer is of a world where people diagnosed with cancer live better and longer lives,” he explains. “We want to accelerate our breakthrough cancer medicines to bring new hope to patients across Europe and the world.”

Ganeshalingam is clear that the steps taken by legislators and policymakers have already made an enormous difference in helping to deliver the changes that bring benefits to patients. In particular, he highlights the importance of the 2022 Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan as providing a solid foundation to accelerate progress.

However, whilst welcoming leadership at a European level, Ganeshalingam believes that more can be done to support implementation at the national level where there is significant variation in the treatments that patients can access.

He paints a picture of deep inequalities in cancer care within and between EU Member States, including in screening, biomarker testing, availability of medicines, and supporting infrastructure. This results in patients getting unequal standards of cancer care and facing disparities in outcomes depending on where they live[3]. Ganeshalingam believes a major factor behind this is variability in the speed with which patients in different territories can benefit from new treatments.

“Accessing novel medicines remains a significant challenge for the European Union,” he tells us. “On average, patients in the EU wait around 1.5 years to access an oncology treatment after marketing authorisation is granted. This ranges from 93 days in Germany to 828 days in Romania.[4]”

That unequal access is having a profound impact on patients and their families. Ganeshalingam calls for a different approach where industry, the EU, member states, and regulators work collaboratively to understand the unique challenges that cancer presents and to develop strategies to address them.

“Improvements in diagnosis means that there are increasing opportunities to identify and treat cancers much earlier compared to the old days,” Ganeshalingam explains. “At the same time, you must deliver the right treatment in a timely manner as well, or we don’t benefit from those earlier diagnoses.”

For that to happen, Ganeshalingam argues, there needs to be a different and more nuanced regulatory approach that considers data from a wider range of sources and recognises the particular urgency of providing access to treatments to those with cancer.

“We need to understand how we can get fast-track approval in the EU for our cutting-edge medicines,” he tells The Parliament. “Cancer patients are a different type of patient. They need treatment today. They often can’t wait for three years of data.”

Europe is well placed to deliver transformational medicines and treatments to patients thanks to the presence of a well-established pharmaceutical sector that is taking a globally leading role in investing in the R&D that is uncovering new treatments.

However, the European pharmaceutical industry depends on an environment that supports competitiveness and facilitates R&D investment into new life-saving treatments. Ganeshalingam identifies several key areas where action could be transformational in helping research and delivering better, equitable, and more effective care for those living with cancer. To support innovation, policymakers should improve the regulatory framework to ensure faster access to life-saving therapies, and strengthen intellectual property protections to safeguard future research and growth. The revision of the EU Pharmaceutical Legislation and the upcoming Strategy for EuropeanLife Sciences[5] are opportunities to incorporate these changes, driving competitiveness and improving healthcare outcomes.

Such changes could ultimately bring new hope to the 2.7 million people diagnosed with cancer in the European Union each year. As an experienced physician, Ganeshalingam has seen rapid advances in recent years and is keen to work with others to maintain that momentum.

Ultimately, it is millions of Europeans who are living with cancer that will feel the benefit of that coordinated action. For Ganeshalingam this is a personal as well as a professional mission.

“I’m very grateful for the role that I can play along with my colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry and academic centres across the world in bringing these medicines to our patients,” he says. “They’re living longer and they’re living better lives. We’re giving new hope to our patients and that is very humbling and rewarding.”

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