Molecular diagnostics are central to the delivery of personalized cancer care. Without these important tools, physicians would not be able to select the appropriate patients for targeted therapy, negating the advantages conferred by recent advances in genomics. In the past fifteen years, there has been an explosion of new technologies to interrogate the genes and…
In his first speech to Congress last February, President Trump revived a common misconception about drug regulation. The president’s comments reflect a perennial critique of the FDA, that the agency’s drug regulations impede timely access to new medicines. A few years ago, Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) explored whether these claims were true about cancer…
From L-R: Dr. Gregory Reaman, Pr. Gilles Vassal, Mr. Raymond Rodriguez-Torres Oncology is a widely studied and researched field, and the advancements in scientific and clinical understanding of pediatric oncology provides an opportunity to better inform pediatric drug development. For a long time, there was an idea that children are “tiny adults” and…
In 2012, the Breakthrough Therapy Designation was signed into law. Four years later, Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) continues to steward the program that the organization developed by working closely with FDA and other stakeholders to ensure the program is as efficient and effective as possible. As part of this stewardship, Friends hosted a Senate briefing…
Congress Must Pass 21st Century Cures Act Now This is an incredibly exciting time in biomedical research. New discoveries are announced almost every week that bring us closer to managing cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We are attacking these illnesses at the molecular and genetic levels. In cancer, for example, scientists have gone beyond treating…
It’s been a busy spring for drug development. We’ve had leadership changes at FDA, legislative pushes in Congress, and a host of conferences and meetings to present and advance ideas from the cutting edge of science and policy. It’s a lot of keep up with. Here are the biggest stories from the last few months.…
This Friday, the U.S. House will vote on the 21st Century Cures Act. The Act creates a cohesive, efficient, effective, and patient-centered path to cures. The 21st Century Cures Act, a substantial piece of legislation that touches on all aspects of medical innovation – from basic research to regulation, from biomarkers to patient data –…
Welcome to Engaging Innovation! This multi-media forum will be a venue for leaders from the public and private sector, regulators, drug developers, researchers, providers, patients, and advocates to engage on important issues and discuss the most pressing challenges and the most compelling innovations in the fight against cancer. We are thrilled to have Dr.…
