Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, with 400,000 children and adolescents diagnosed between birth and the age of 19. At Servier, we are actively involved in the fight against pediatric cancers. This Wednesday, February 15, on International Childhood Cancer Day, we are reaffirming our commitment.

Responding to growing needs in pediatric oncology

Servier devotes more than 50% of its R&D budget to oncology, particularly to developing treatments that target hard-to-treat cancers. This is the case for certain childhood cancers, which are known to be very aggressive. While progress is being made every day, these cancers have a high mortality rate, and the need to discover for well-tolerated, more effective drugs remains high, both in the short and long term.

“This is an unacceptable finding, and one that’s all the more compelling for us because these are cancers for which therapeutic innovations are possible.”

Angelo Paci, Oncology & Immuno-Oncology Program Leader at Servier

“In recent years, our strategy for pediatric cancers has accelerated. We aim to address the unmet medical needs of patients through innovation at all stages of research and development, particularly for cancers that are hard to treat.”

Frédéric Colland, Head of the Cancer Cell Targeting Research program and in charge of Servier’s R&D strategy for pediatric cancers

To achieve this, Servier relies especially on collaborative work with consortia, patient organizations and academic partners.

Long-term collaborations to advance research

We initiated a long-term strategic collaboration with Gustave Roussy, a reference center in oncology in Europe and worldwide. It covers projects in oncology and immuno-oncology, including two projects in pediatrics. The partnership with Gustave Roussy, illustrates Servier’s strong dynamic of open innovation for accelerating research to serve patient needs.

For several years, we have also been working closely with the Institut Curie. This research collaboration is also strategic, and has enabled researchers, pharmacologists and international experts to identify medical needs, highlight the most relevant targets, and steer the development of promising assets.

Accelerating innovation in Paris-Saclay

Servier’s oncology strategy will be further accelerated by the upcoming opening of our Research and Development Institute in the Paris-Saclay interdisciplinary innovation hub. Working from the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic ecosystems, we will be able to multiply synergies to strengthen our commitment to the fight against cancer, and in particular childhood cancers.