World Cancer Day, the occasion to let patient stories be heard
World Cancer Day is an initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), which comprises more than 1,100 member organizations in over 170 countries. The 2026 campaign, endorsed by Servier, places people at the centre of care and explores new ways of making a difference.
Key Figures
10 million
people die every year from cancer throughout the world.
Over 40%
of cancer-related deaths are linked to modifiable risk factors.
Almost 1/3
of all cancer deaths could be prevented through routine screening, early detection, and treatment.
70%
of cancer deaths occur in low to middle income countries.
Source: worldcancerday.org
A bold and effective strategy for innovation in oncology
Our goal is to create precision therapies for patients living with rare forms of cancers with unmet medical needs. We are a focused and innovative player in the treatment of digestive cancers (colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma), brain tumors (glioma), and hematologic cancers (acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphoma).
Our R&D teams, driven by a sense of urgency to serve patients, are focusing on two promising, complementary approaches:
We draw on precision medicine, underpinned in particular by companion diagnostic tests2. This breakthrough innovation enables us to develop treatments that target cancer types with high unmet medical needs.
The 2024/2025 financial year was noteworthy for several marketing authorizations obtained in oncology around the world. These bolster the Group’s ability to develop new therapeutic solutions for rare forms of cancer with unmet medical needs and get them to patients. In recent months, we have also finalized significant acquisitions and licensing agreements in hematology, solid tumors, as well as for a rare eye cancer. These partnerships demonstrate our focus on advancing targeted oncology therapies and the value creation potential of our R&D.
Our goal for 2030 is to obtain one new marketing authorization per year in oncology – the first-time approval of a new product, a new indication, or a new therapeutic line.
“Oncology is a priority for Servier. Our teams work relentlessly to bring differentiating and transformative therapies to targeted patient populations with limited treatment options.”
François Druguet, Head of Global Product Strategy Oncology, Servier
Working with patient organizations — a purposeful, timely collaboration in oncology
In June 2025, Servier ranked 1st worldwide for the first time in the “Oncology” category of the annual PatientView survey of pharmaceutical companies working with patient organizations. Based on feedback from 550 survey respondents, this recognition honors the Group’s strong commitment to partnering with patients, from the very inception of projects on to fostering transparent and sustainable dialogue.
Read the patient stories published on our website
Patient voices: Living with glioma
Through a collection of personal testimonials, Servier wishes to shine a light on people living with brain tumors, particularly glioma, a rare form of brain cancer.
In this publication, Marcus, Rebecca, Dirk, John, Nick and Ashley tell their stories, share their journeys and describe their fight against disease. Beyond the stories it tells, “Patient voices: Living with glioma” illustrates the Group’s desire to always place patients at the heart of oncology research and development.
Read the publication: “Patient voices: Living with glioma”
[1] World Health Organization (WHO), Cancer – Fact Sheet, February 2022
[2] A companion diagnostic test is designed to determine which subgroups of patients are likely to respond favorably to a given treatment by identifying markers that predict treatment response in patients.