The three-year agreement aims to establish a framework of cooperation between GFFCC and sanofi-aventis in areas relating to oncology, and includes various activities intended to educate both physicians and patients, through targeted support programmes, to better manage and live with the condition. The MoU also covers public outreach and education on the importance of prevention and early detection.
“Sanofi-aventis is a diversified global healthcare leader, focused on patient’s needs; therefore the patients are at the very core of everything we do. We are building on the heritage of more than 50 years of experience helping patients and health care professionals in the field of cancer care. Sanofi-aventis’ vision is to target cancer on all fronts by working on most of the mechanisms of action involved in the development, growth and spread of cancer,” said George Morcos, General Manager, Sanofi-aventis Gulf.
“The Sanofi-aventis oncology portfolio represents a broad spectrum of novel agents with a variety of mechanisms of action for treating cancer and/or cancer side-effects, including cytotoxic agents, antimitotic agents, anti-angiogenic agents, antivascular agents, monoclonal antibodies, and cancer vaccines as well as supportive care therapies,” he continued.
“We have 12 products in our R&D portfolio under development by which 6 are under phase I while 3 in each phase II and Phase III. We focus on bringing more products of value to patients and increase innovation in R&D. We are interested in conducting research on both the global and local levels and this agreement will help both parties to collaborate deeper in this domain. We are looking forward to working hand in hand with the Gulf Federation for Cancer Control through this MoU. Recently sanofi-aventis acquired Genzyme, and both companies will bring tremendous expertise, commitment and resources to the Oncology field.”
“GFFCC is committed to promoting cancer awareness and providing care and assistance to patients living with cancer. We are confident that this agreement with sanofi-aventis will enable us to better meet these goals, and to put in place the foundations for longer-term community assistance programmes for those living and dealing with cancer in any of its forms. sanofi-aventis’s extensive experience and research in this area, as well as its large team of scientists, give the company a huge advantage when it comes to operating in this area, and I believe that this knowledge, combined with the regional awareness and community experience of GFFCC and its member associations will soon have tangible results. We also thank FoCP for all the efforts they showed to make this MoU come true,” added al Turki.
FOCP President Ameera bin Karam also weighed in on the importance of this agreement, stating that the MoU was an important step in raising cancer awareness in the UAE and the Gulf region as a whole. “We saw from the recent success of the Pink Caravan Campaign how open people are to learning more about cancer, its prevention and how to detect it early enough to deal with it in the simplest manner possible. This collaboration between GFFCC and sanofi-aventis will raise our ongoing efforts to create awareness and support structures for those living and dealing with cancer to a whole new level, and I look forward to seeing this agreement bear fruit for years to come.”
Sanofi-aventis is present in over 100 countries with a team of around 17,000 scientists, and the company enjoys international recognition in oncology and as a leader in cancer control, treatment and research in Gulf Area. Headquartered in Paris, France, Sanofi-aventis has a Gulf regional office in Dubai Health Care City in the UAE. Sanofi-aventis Oncology is committed to fighting against cancer through innovative research strategies, a diverse portfolio of therapies, and patient awareness and support programmes, and strives to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.
The Gulf Federation for Cancer Control is a federation of 12 cancer associations in the GCC states and Yemen organized primarily to promote cancer awareness in the region.