Drug majors join BIO Ventures to tackle cancer crisis in Africa

BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), is launching the African Access Initiative (AAI) today at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention at the San Diego Convention Center, to address Africa’s emerging cancer crisis.

Led by BVGH in partnership with major drugmakers, the USA’s Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical (TYO: 4502)., and the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), AAI will expand access to oncology medicines and improve cancer care in Africa. Cancer kills 60% more people in Africa than malaria, and the number of cancer deaths is expected to increase almost 70% by 2030.

“Progress in addressing cancer in Africa lags far behind the United States,” said BVGH president Jennifer Dent. “In the US, many cancers are diagnosed at the earliest, most treatable stages, and women with breast cancer today have a 90% chance of survival partially due to the life-saving medicines that have been developed. Cancer death rates overall have declined 25% over the last two decades. Unfortunately, the benefits of these medicines are not yet seen in Africa.”