ESMO calls on the European Union (EU) to make cancer a key priority of the upcoming Strategy for European Life Sciences, which will be essential for addressing the growing trend of cancer cases in Europe and making the EU a global leader in life sciences.
The Life Sciences Strategy of the EU is a forthcoming strategy for life sciences in Europe that will identify key challenges and opportunities to speed up the safe development, deployment and uptake of life sciences-based innovation - amongst other issues. The European Commission is expected to put the Strategy forward in the second quarter of 2025.
Considering that cancer cases in Europe are expected to increase from 4.47 million in 2022 to 5.48 million in 2045, ESMO considers it pertinent that the Strategy for European Life Sciences:
- Advances the knowledge and understanding of cancer mechanisms (including carcinogenesis and treatment resistance), fosters therapeutic innovation in oncology, and drives scientific and medical breakthroughs in the cancer space. The Strategy should ultimately deliver tangible benefits for patients with cancer and support more homogenous and timely access to innovative cancer therapies across the whole EU;
- Supports the translation of research results into novel cancer treatments, medicinal products, and clinical applications (including new diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and related technologies) - with advancements being made accessible to all patients with cancer in Europe. Specific attention is to be given to the development of innovative solutions that can help address areas of high unmet needs in the rare cancers space;
- Supports research on, and enables the implementation of, evidence-based measures to improve prevention and earlier diagnosis of cancer;
- Offers a holistic approach to life sciences in Europe, with strong synergies being established with the relevant workstreams of Horizon Europe, the Mission on Cancer, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the upcoming 10th EU Framework Programme (FP10) as well as future proposals for a European Research Area (ERA) Act and a European Innovation Act;
- Further supports education, training and upskilling in life sciences-disciplines and encourages career development in these domains;
- Is implemented in close coordination and alignment with national life sciences strategies in the EU Member States;
- Is supported by robust EU funding provided through the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The full ESMO response can be accessed here.
For further information, please contact: publicpolicy@esmo.org