In 2018, my personal experience supported my positive outlook for the future of cancer research and patient care and the work we can do to change the treatment options for cancer patients. I firmly believe that our industry can have the greatest impact through partnerships and support to fund innovative initiatives, such as the previously announced Cancer Moon Landing Program and the newly proposed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health.
My story began on a fairly ordinary Saturday, on the Acela train on my way home from a meeting in Washington. I got up and stretched my legs. On the way back to my seat, I saw President Joe Biden (the former vice president at the time) sitting alone.
When I passed by, I said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Vice President, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of the cancer moon landing program. You support it. It is great that the legislation passed.”
President Biden seemed very surprised by my comments. He smiled and said, “People don’t ask me about the cancer moon landing plan. How did you know?” He pointed to the empty seat opposite, and asked me to sit down. We started talking and I explained my role as an executive in a small biotech company engaged in cancer treatment clinical trials. He was sincerely interested.
In the next hour, we discussed the current status of cancer research, clinical trials, possible major progress in the next step, the urgent need for government-funded primary research, and my team’s experience in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration . We had a wide range of conversations, and his questions and his breadth of knowledge about cancer research and treatment left a deep impression on me. When Acela sailed into Wilmington, President Biden was ready to disembark and thanked me for the discussion. “Keep working hard, I hope your clinical trial is successful.” He said while carrying his bag. There is no doubt that he is serious about improving the prognosis of patients diagnosed with cancer.
In the last few days of his term as Vice President, President Biden has been advocating for the cancer moon landing program, officially called “21Yingshi Century Cure Act. “This legislation authorizes the provision of 1.8 billion U.S. dollars in seven years to accelerate cancer research to advance treatment, prevention, and care. It was enacted with rare bipartisan support and passed the two houses of Congress with an overwhelming vote. Cancer registration The monthly plan is very personal for President Biden. He lost his eldest son due to glioblastoma the year before.
In less than five years, Cancer Moonshot Funding More than 240 research projects and 70 programs and alliances. Its 10 research priorities all point to greater data sharing and collaboration, specifically focusing on improving immunotherapy, advancing childhood cancer research, mapping tumors, expanding cancer prevention and early detection, addressing drug resistance, interacting with patients, collecting and sharing Cancer data, as well as collaboration and outreach.
The types of basic research funded through Cancer Moonshot benefit the entire industry, even for companies that are not directly receiving funding. It’s a bit like planting grass sprouts: when the seeds are spread, it is difficult to know which will grow. Without preliminary research, it is risky for companies to invest their limited resources in promising technologies or treatments. For more and more small companies that are pushing for innovation in oncology, primary research is essential to transform innovative ideas into marketable products that can change the lives of patients.
Since 2016, cancer care has developed rapidly, and sequencing and editing innovations have made significant progress in the field of CRISPR and CAR-T-based therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this highly innovative environment, we are changing from a one-size-fits-all, trial-and-error approach to a targeted approach that provides the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.
Under such circumstances, I am very happy to hear President Biden’s first important speech to Congress calling for the establishment of a Health Advanced Research Projects Agency within the National Institutes of Health. ARPA-H will be modeled after DARPA, Department of Defense Research and Planning Agency, responsible for the development of emerging technologies for military use. Our daily lives have been shaped by DARPA in profound ways that we may not realize. DARPA developed the first computer mouse, Internet prototype, and GPS system, to name just three examples.
The goal of ARPA-H is to promote the transformation and innovation of health research, and to accelerate the application and implementation of health breakthroughs such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The idea is that the work supported by ARPA-H will change our daily lives and our health in profound ways, just like DARPA does. The proposal issued in April calls for a 2022 budget of US$6.5 billion, which shows a serious commitment to this work.
The support of the US government can promote health breakthroughs and have a major impact. For example, my company recently partnered with NCI, which will use our drug in a phase 2 trial in thymoma, a rare cancer for which there is currently no approved treatment.Because Less than 500 cases of thymoma Diagnosed once a year, clinical trial registration can be challenging. Our company does not have the resources to manage such clinical trials. However, for patients with thymic cancer, access to treatment is a key requirement. Our cooperation with NCI will shorten the trial time and, if successful, will ultimately provide patients with much-needed treatment faster.
Our story tells the stories of many small companies and researchers who have promising innovations that aim to change what it means to accept cancer or Alzheimer’s or be diagnosed with diabetes. Although we have made great strides in the past five years, we are only just beginning to realize the future of cancer care. Shouldn’t we accelerate these innovations and work together to improve the lives of patients? I encourage you to support the creation of ARPA-H and take specific actions to let your legislators understand its importance.
Photo: Main_sail, Getty Images
