In June 2024, our subsidiary in India launched its very first oncology treatment. With a 38-year commitment to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in India, the Group has taken a major step forward in its drive to be a focused and innovative player in oncology.
A new treatment for pancreatic cancer patients
With an estimated 14.6 million cases of cancer in 20221, India is facing a major challenge. In fact, one person in nine is likely to develop cancer during his or her lifetime 1.
Considering India’s population size and the increasing burden of pancreatic cancer, the introduction of a new medicine for pancreatic cancer patients marks a major milestone.
“Our mission is to provide new therapeutic solutions for patients with cancer. Guided by a commitment to patient-centered care, we are dedicated to developing innovative treatments that address unmet medical needs, deliver personalized and targeted care, and empower both healthcare professionals and patients. By providing comprehensive support, education, and accessible treatment options, we strive to enrich the entire continuum of cancer care.”
Dr. Poonam Gupta, Medical and Patient Affairs Director, Servier India
Pancreatic cancer is one of the cancer types with the poorest prognosis, given a five-year survival rate of just 11%2. Diagnosis is most often made at an advanced stage, when the tumor is no longer operable due to the disease’s late clinical expression.
Our clear ambition is to be a focused, innovative player in the treatment of rare cancers
According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide3 and is steadily on the rise. To address the growing need for therapeutic solutions, we have made oncology one of our priority innovation areas.
Launching this treatment in India is directly aligned with our Servier 2030 ambition of being a leading and innovative player in the treatment of rare cancers. Our major commitment to the battle against rare cancers is currently reflected in 8 treatments now available to patients worldwide and more than 70% of our R&D budget allocated to oncology.
Servier India in numbers
1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36510887/#:~:text=The%20age%2Dspecific%20incidence%20rate,rate%3A100.4%20per%20100%2C000).
2 – Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2023. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2022.
3 – World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/fr/health-topics/cancer#:~:text=Le%20terme%20cancer%20est%20%C3%A9galement%20connu%20sous%20le,morts%20en%202018%2C%20soit%20un%20d%C3%A9c%C3%A8s%20sur%20six.