Catalyzing Cancer Care Transformation in Latin America: Coalition Unveils Bold Vision for Digital Innovation and Global Collaboration at Bloomberg New Economy at B20 in Brazil
Catalyzing Cancer Care Transformation in Latin America: Coalition Unveils Bold Vision for Digital Innovation and Global Collaboration at Bloomberg New Economy at B20 in Brazil
New York, November 7 – At the 2024 Bloomberg New Economy at B20 in São Paulo, the Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition (“the Coalition”) held its inaugural Latin American meeting, a gathering that underscored the urgent need for digital transformation and public-private partnerships in healthcare across the region. With key stakeholders and thought leaders present, the conversation centered on how international collaboration can help to bridge gaps in cancer care for underserved communities, helping Latin America become a leading driver of equitable and innovative healthcare.
[The Coalition meeting at the 2024 Bloomberg New Economy at B20 convened prominent figures in policy, the pharmaceuticals industry and academia.]
As industries across Latin America embrace digital transformation, healthcare is poised for positive disruption
In his remarks, Darryl Sleep of Amgen highlighted the critical role of healthcare access for underserved populations, sharing insights into Amgen’s work in building “health system readiness.” This approach, developed through collaborations with stakeholders in Paraguay, ensures that advanced treatments—such as personalized therapies and immunotherapies—reach patients as part of a long-term, sustainable healthcare infrastructure. Sleep emphasized that genuine change requires moving beyond “parachuting in” with quick fixes or solutions that has worked elsewhere. Instead, forming enduring partnerships with local healthcare leaders to co-create meaningful, lasting solutions would be critical and actionable next steps.
A key focus of the session was the Coalition’s hub-and-spoke model, detailed in Cancer Discovery was published by the leadership of Coalition co- founder Dr. Bob Li, during UNGA2024. This model proposes a decentralized approach to clinical trials, using regional hubs to connect rural and underserved patients with life-saving treatments. By harnessing technology and building partnerships, this scalable solution aims to make trial participation more accessible across the world, especially in the global south, addressing long-standing disparities in healthcare.
Establishing the Coalition Latin American Task Force: A Roadmap for Regional Change
Building on the momentum of multiple visioning sessions in São Paulo, the Coalition and regional stakeholders announced plans to establish a dedicated Latin American task force. The initial phase of this initiative will spotlight “lighthouse projects” led by Hospital Sírio-Libanês and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. These projects, beginning in Brazil, focus on expanding R&D collaborations, advancing clinical trials, and accelerating biomarker development studies. This collaboration between international research institutions and local healthcare leaders is set to push Latin America to the forefront of global cancer research, while empowering diverse communities with enhanced access to cutting-edge treatments.
Call to Action
Despite an estimated $80 billion in annual R&D investment from the biopharma sector, fewer than 5% of eligible patients worldwide participate in oncology trials—a statistic that underscores the need for transformative change – Read more here. In an analysis done by McKinsey, Latin America, with a healthcare landscape uniquely suited for innovation, is positioned to take a leading role. Since 2018, venture capital investment in Latin American biotech companies has exceeded $150 million, signaling growing confidence in the region’s potential to drive advancements in cancer care.
The Coalition’s first convening in Latin America closed with a unified commitment to address the unique healthcare challenges facing the region. By shedding light on digital transformation, facilitating public-private partnerships, and advocating for regulatory collaboration, the Coalition aims to unlock Latin America’s potential as a global leader in equitable cancer care.
The series of groundbreaking meetings delivered more than just a discussion – it marked the beginning of a proactive, collaborative approach to reshaping the healthcare landscape in Latin America. Through visionary strategies, sustainable investments, and localized partnerships, the Coalition is poised to bring lasting change to the cancer care landscape across the Global South, setting a powerful example for the rest of the world.
[The International Cancer Coalition at the 2024 Bloomberg New Economy at B20 and LAtAm taskforce. From left to right:
Sepideh Shokrpour, Coalitions and Community Innovation, Bloomberg Media
Romeu Domingues Chairman, Dasa
Daniel Gomez Vice Chair and Director, Thoracic Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Carlos Henrique dos Anjos Director, Medical Oncology Center, Hospital Sírio-Libanês
Anne Kawalerski Global Chief Client Officer, Bloomberg Media
Artur Katz General Director of the Oncology Center, Hospital Sírio-Libanês
Adriana Dupita Economist, Brazil and Argentina, Bloomberg
Leigh Gilmore, Global Head of Bloomberg Live Experiences, Bloomberg Media
Ricardo Castellan, General Manager, Amgen Brazil
Rodrigo Munhoz Medical Oncologist, Hospital Sírio-Libanês
Pedram Razavi Director, Liquid Biopsy Technology and Genomics Global Biomarker Development Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Kyle Bozentko Executive Director, Center for New Democratic Processes
Darryl Sleep Head, Global Public Health, Amgen
Tatiana Erazo Scientific Research Manager, Global Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Bob Li Vice President, Global Research Affairs, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Nancy Lee Vice Chair and Chief, Proton Therapy, Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Kaylie Johnson Program Manager, Global Biomarker Development, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Harriet Keane Partner, McKinsey
Femi Ogunseinde Executive Director, Investment, Ministry of Finance Incorporated
Dazhi Liu Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Phase 1 Trial Investigator, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Stephanie Shahini Partnership Manager, City Cancer Challenge Foundation
About The International Cancer Coalition
The Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition brings together academia, industry, government, patient advocacy and policy think tanks to fight for global health equity by leveraging technology and collaboration to accelerate cancer cures and prevention worldwide.
Bloomberg New Economy Coalitions are data-driven, community-led initiatives that bring together leading experts across the public and private sectors for dialogue, collective recommendations and commitments, and coordinated action around urgent global challenges. Bloomberg New Economy is currently working on three coalitions: The International Cancer Coalition, Climate Technology Coalition and Dynamic Cities Coalition.
ENDS
For inquiries, contact:
Sepideh Shokrpour
sshokrpour@bloomberg.net