Advance forecasting, AI and analytics to drive strategic commercial decision-making across functions in Pharma. < Back AI, Forecasting, Insights and Analytics for Smarter Decisions in Pharma Advance forecasting, AI and analytics to drive strategic commercial decision-making across functions in Pharma. Forecasting, insights and analytics is a strategic decision-making function within global product strategy and commercial departments in pharmaceutical companies. Unlike operational or sales-focused functions, these teams are responsible for maintaining objectivity in long-term forecasting accuracy and commercial planning for pharma products. This conference will explore how pharma organizations are using advanced analytics, AI and Real-World-Evidence to improve forecasting assumptions, support lifecycle management and drive better strategic decisions. By strengthening forecasting and analytics capabilities, pharma companies can stay ahead of competitors, identify growth opportunities and optimize commercial performance across evolving markets. The Marcus Evans AI, Forecasting, Insights and Analytics for Smarter Decisions in Pharma conference will explore how pharma leaders are embedding Gen AI for long-term forecasting, Agentic AI for Real-World-Evidence generation and advanced analytics into cross-functional workflows to improve forecasting confidence, commercial responsiveness and long-term strategic planning while maintaining strong data and AI governance. Learn from case studies, expert-led panels, roundtable discussions and interactive workshops on Gen AI-powered forecasting, AI-enabled commercial workflows, rare disease forecasting, lifecycle forecasting and strategic decision-making across evolving therapy markets. Whether you are looking to strengthen forecasting assumptions, accelerate AI adoption, improve launch planning or drive more informed commercial decisions, this event will deliver practical insights and actionable strategies from senior forecasting, analytics and AI leaders across pharma. Topics Covered: Drive strategic decision-making through forecasting, scenario planning, and market intelligence Shift from Forecasting to Foresight with Agentic AI and Real-World Evidence to Prepare for Multiple Futures Advance rare disease forecasting through integrated data and patient-centric insights Build forecasting agility in volatile and high-growth therapy markets Maximize forecasting confidence through healthcare data governance and analytical integrity Structure enterprise AI, forecasting and analytics functions through shared governance and operating models Best Practices and Case Studies from: Philippe Barillon , Executive Director, Strategic Intelligence & Business Impact, Global Corporate Affairs, Novartis Alireza Moayyeri, Senior Director, RWE Global, UCB Paul Boutry, Head of Strategic Planning & Analytics, BioMarin Gerardo Martinez, Senior Director, Global Market Access – Pipeline (Immunology & Rare Diseases), CSL Christopher Meyer, Head of Strategy & Operational Excellence, Ferring Pharmaceuticals Peter Elsig Raun, Director, Commercial Leadership Office and Projects, Lundbeck Special discounts available to BioFocus UK members! For more information please contact: Stefanos Ioannou, Digital Media and PR Executive at stefanosi@marcusevanscy.com or visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s42sd5m Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

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Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. < Back Sartorius Expands Drug Discovery and Biomanufacturing Deal with NVIDIA Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. Sartorius, a leading life sciences and bioprocessing company, has expanded its collaboration with NVIDIA, a pioneer in AI-powered computing. This partnership aims to leverage AI technology to enhance drug discovery and biomanufacturing processes. The collaboration Since 2020, Sartorius has integrated NVIDIA’s technology into its instruments, enhancing live-cell imaging and AI assays. The collaboration focuses on developing predictive AI models, particularly for stem cell-derived organoids, to replace animal models in drug discovery and precision medicine. Expansion highlights NVIDIA Clara Suite: Sartorius will increase the use of NVIDIA Clara's AI-powered computing platforms and services. Predictive Models: New predictive AI models, tools, and simulations will be developed for various applications, available through the NVIDIA Clara suite and DGX platform. Advanced Technologies: The partnership will explore 3D-bioprinted spheroids, organoids, and synthetic biological pathways designed with Sartorius cell lines to create novel therapies. Impact on bioprocessing The expanded partnership aims to simplify and accelerate biopharma drug discovery and manufacturing, promising technological innovations that benefit both Sartorius customers and patients. Sartorius and NVIDIA’s enhanced collaboration signifies a step forward in integrating AI with life sciences, potentially revolutionizing drug discovery and biomanufacturing by providing advanced predictive tools and improving efficiency and product quality in the biotech industry. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

A groundbreaking clinical trial set to begin in summer 2026 will test LungVax, the world’s first vaccine designed to prevent lung cancer in people at high risk, a major milestone in cancer prevention research. < Back World-First Preventative Lung Cancer Vaccine Enters Clinical Trial A groundbreaking clinical trial set to begin in summer 2026 will test LungVax, the world’s first vaccine designed to prevent lung cancer in people at high risk, a major milestone in cancer prevention research. Developed by researchers at the University of Oxford and University College London, and backed by Cancer Research UK and the CRIS Cancer Foundation, LungVax aims to prime the immune system to detect and destroy abnormal lung cells before they turn cancerous. “Lung cancer is lethal and blights far too many lives. Survival has been stubbornly poor for decades. LungVax is our chance to do something to actively prevent this disease,” said Professor Sarah Blagden, co-founder of the LungVax project. How LungVax Works LungVax uses a viral vector technology based on the same platform that powered the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. It delivers genetic instructions to the immune system so it can recognise “red-flag” proteins (neoantigens) on the surface of early abnormal lung cells, marking them for the immune system to destroy. The Phase I trial will focus on individuals at particularly high risk, including patients who have had early-stage non-small cell lung cancer removed, as well as people currently enrolled in NHS England’s targeted lung health checks. Trial Design and Scope The Oncology Clinical Trials Office (OCTO) at Oxford will run the trial. It is designed as a dose-escalation Phase I, followed by a Phase II “precision-prevention” part. The total planned enrollment is 590 patients: 30 in Phase I and 560 in Phase II (280 per arm). The primary goals are to assess safety, determine optimal dosing, and evaluate whether the immune response can be effectively triggered. “Fewer than 10% of people with lung cancer survive their disease for 10 years or more. That must change, and that change will come from targeting lung cancer at the earliest stages,” said Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, trial lead from UCL. Why This Matters Lung cancer remains the UK’s deadliest cancer by survival rate, and early detection continues to be a major challenge. By training the immune system to identify and eliminate abnormal lung cells early, before full-blown cancer develops, LungVax represents a paradigm shift in primary prevention. The vaccine does not replace existing public health measures: smoking cessation remains the most effective way to reduce lung cancer risk. But LungVax could offer a completely new layer of protection for those most vulnerable, especially as part of broader screening programmes. Backing and Future Prospects Cancer Research UK has awarded up to £2.06 million to support the four-year Phase I trial. Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, emphasised the long-term vision: “By supporting the LungVax clinical trial, we will put the vaccine through the most rigorous scientific tests and take that important first step towards a world where people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of lung cancer.” The program also builds on a larger GSK-Oxford immuno-prevention partnership, which launched in early 2025, with a £50 million investment in pre-cancer vaccine research. LungVax could redefine how we approach lung cancer prevention, shifting the paradigm from reacting to disease to preventing it altogether. If the trial proves successful, this could become a powerful tool for reducing lung cancer incidence in high-risk populations. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

Explore the key biotech innovations that offer to address the challenges of sustainably feeding a growing global population and the hurdles such as scalability, regulation, and consumer acceptance that must be overcome. < Back Biotechnology in Agriculture - Feeding the World’s Growing Population Explore the key biotech innovations that offer to address the challenges of sustainably feeding a growing global population and the hurdles such as scalability, regulation, and consumer acceptance that must be overcome. The biotech industry has developed a myriad of healthcare innovations, delivering novel solutions for diseases once deemed untreatable. However, its impact extends far beyond healthcare; scientists in diverse fields have been looking at ways to leverage biotechnology to create sustainable advancements in agriculture and beyond. The human population is expected to reach around 9.7 billion by 2050. This growth means that more food must be produced sustainably to meet rising needs without overburdening natural resources or the environment. How can biotech support this challenge? By 2025, the global food industry will need to produce around 56% more food, which is expected to increase the amount of land used for agriculture. With the help of new technologies such as lab-grown meat and gene editing, we can try to reduce the expansion of agricultural land and lower emissions to create a more resilient and sustainable food system. Cellular agriculture This term encompasses a variety of cell culture techniques used to produce food. These include lab-grown meat, plant-based proteins, and lab-grown dairy products. Lab-grown meat involves cultivating animal cells in bioreactors to produce meat without raising livestock. Plant-based proteins are used to create meat alternatives using microorganisms such as yeast and fungi. Similarly, lab-grown dairy products, such as milk or cheese, are produced without the need for cows or other animals, offering more sustainable and ethical food options. Cellular agriculture offers many more benefits than being a more sustainable way to cultivate meat. In addition to being better for animal welfare, it provides more food security. Since the meat is produced in an enclosed, controlled environment, there is a lower chance of zoonotic disease proliferation. Therefore, antibiotics will not be needed to stop the spread of infection, as they typically are in traditional farming methods. However, it will still take some time before lab-grown meat reaches supermarket shelves and becomes publicly available. A few hurdles need to be crossed, starting with scaling up meat production and developing the right taste and texture of the protein. It also needs to be fit for human consumption. Just as drugs go through regulatory approval, so will lab-grown meat. After crossing these hurdles comes the most significant and important of all: consumer approval. Will consumers, i.e. the public, be willing to purchase and eat lab-grown meat? A study published in 2021 looked at consumer attitudes towards cultured meat and found that whilst people would be willing to pay a higher price for more ethically produced meat, they are more likely to buy meat substitutes but not lab-grown meat. There is still a “food neophobia” tied to the fact that there are still uncertainties in the safety and nutritional qualities of cultured meat. There is a plethora of research dedicated to the nutritional profile of lab-grown meat . Currently, we cannot fully reproduce the in vivo environment in vitro . This means some vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional components will be absent from cultured meat since they are not created in the muscle cells but come from other places in the body or the animal's diet. More research is needed to confirm the nutritional value of lab-grown meat and its long-term health implications. GMOs and CRISPR in crops Alternatively, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and gene-editing technologies like CRISPR have been enhancing agricultural processes by improving crop yields and resilience. GMOs use the process of altering the DNA of an organism, making it express beneficial traits, such as repelling pests or speedier growth. CRISPR uses a more precise technology that enables scientists to edit specific genes in the plant DNA, resulting in specific enhancements in the crop. Both technologies have helped farmers face challenges such as climate change and adverse weather conditions and ensure stable food production all year round. GMOs and CRISPR-modified crops have contributed to reducing pesticide use by genetically modifying plants to resist pests, which benefits the environment. These technologies have also led to the development of drought-tolerant crops capable of surviving in regions that experience extended dry periods, a growing concern as climate change increasingly impacts food security . Biotechnology has given us the tools to create more resilient crops, and it’s also given us the technology to develop biofortified crops, helping to tackle the problem of malnutrition. One example is golden rice , which has been genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. This aims to reduce vitamin A deficiencies that can cause blindness and immune deficiencies, especially in children in developing countries. Such technologies have been the subject of significant controversy in recent years, with debates focusing on human safety, environmental impact, and ethical implications. Concerns have also been raised over the potential long-term effects on health and biodiversity and corporate control of genetically modified seeds. Even though GMOs and CRISPR-modified crops have the potential to maintain food supply and security, these concerns create a barrier to widespread acceptance. Looking forward… We often tout the advancements of biotechnology in agriculture but forget the associated costs of research and development. Even though costs have decreased in recent years, it’s still too expensive to produce lab-grown meat, and it remains to be seen whether it can be made accessible globally. Scalability is another critical factor. Transitioning from small-scale laboratory production to large-scale manufacturing facilities requires significant investment and technological advancements. Crossing these hurdles is essential in bringing biotech innovations to the broader global population. Biotechnology presents significant opportunities to tackle the challenges of feeding a growing global population sustainably. Innovations like cellular agriculture and genetic engineering have the potential to enhance food production efficiency and security. However, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, ethics, and consumer acceptance persist. As research progresses and public understanding grows, biotechnology could be the answer to building a sustainable food system that benefits both people and the environment. Author Mariam Zaki , freelance contributor Previous Next

New study shows contrails forming inside cirrus clouds may add significantly to aviation-driven warming. < Back Hidden Contrails in Clouds Could Be Worsening Aviation’s Climate Impact New study shows contrails forming inside cirrus clouds may add significantly to aviation-driven warming. New research published in Nature Communications reveals that aircraft contrails, already known to contribute significantly to global warming, may have an even greater climate impact than previously estimated. The study highlights that many contrails form not in clear skies, but within existing cirrus clouds, where their effects have largely gone undetected and unaccounted for in climate models. Contrails form when hot, humid aircraft exhaust mixes with cold air at cruising altitudes, producing ice crystals that can spread into contrail cirrus. These high-altitude clouds trap outgoing heat and warm the planet, with an overall climate impact comparable to aviation’s carbon dioxide emissions. Until now, most assessments assumed contrails form mainly in clear skies, overlooking those embedded within natural cirrus clouds. Two complementary studies led by Petzold et al. and Seelig et al. challenge this assumption. Drawing on seven years of in-situ aircraft measurements, satellite observations, and meteorological data, the researchers show that contrail-favourable conditions frequently occur inside existing cirrus. In northern mid-latitudes, around half of these conditions arise within subvisible cirrus or near-clear skies, situations most likely to amplify warming, while the remainder occur within thicker cirrus clouds, where their climate effect is more complex. Using high-resolution lidar data from the CALIPSO satellite, Seelig et al. were able to isolate and quantify the radiative forcing of more than 40,000 embedded contrails. Their analysis found that these “hidden” contrails exert a measurable warming effect, particularly at night, and could add roughly 10% to current estimates of contrail-related radiative forcing when scaled globally. The findings suggest that embedded contrails represent a non-negligible and previously underestimated component of aviation’s overall climate footprint. They also underscore the challenge of distinguishing contrail-induced cirrus from natural clouds, a task that requires advanced satellite observations, aircraft trajectory data, and targeted atmospheric measurements. As global temperatures continue to rise, the research reinforces the urgency of addressing aviation’s non-CO₂ climate effects. Improved contrail detection and prediction, operational strategies such as altitude adjustments to avoid contrail-prone regions, and integration of natural cloud effects into climate models could offer near-term, cost-effective pathways to reduce aviation-related warming while longer-term solutions, including sustainable aviation fuels, continue to develop. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

UK startup Lab Thread has made its unified lab platform free for small academic and non-profit labs, a move that could lower the barrier to rigorous data management for early-stage biological research. < Back Free Lab Software Aims to Ease the Data Management Burden for Academic Researchers UK startup Lab Thread has made its unified lab platform free for small academic and non-profit labs, a move that could lower the barrier to rigorous data management for early-stage biological research. For many academic researchers, managing lab data is a necessary headache, one that sits alongside grant writing, experimental work, and the everyday demands of running a small team. Spreadsheets proliferate, notebooks pile up, and the administrative overhead of meeting funder requirements around data management can feel disproportionate to the resources available. A UK-based life science software company is hoping to take some of that pressure off. Lab Thread Ltd , headquartered in Silverstone, UK, has announced the release of a free version of its Unified Lab Software Platform, aimed at academic and non-profit researchers worldwide. Available to labs of up to five users, the platform brings together a range of tools, including an electronic lab notebook (ELN), a DNA sequence viewer, and project management functionality, into a single integrated environment. The company originally launched a beta version of the platform in December 2025. The new free tier, aimed specifically at smaller academic laboratories, represents the next step in a strategy to make digital lab management more accessible to researchers who have traditionally had to make do with disconnected, often manual systems. The fragmentation problem is well-recognised in research environments. Project data, experimental records, and team communications tend to live in separate places, different software tools, shared drives, or physical notebooks, creating friction when it comes to collaboration or when funders ask for evidence of structured data management. Lab Thread's platform is designed to bring these elements under one roof. Central to the platform's pitch is its support for FAIR data principles, a framework that requires data to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. These principles have moved from best practice to near-mandatory territory in grant applications from major UK and international funding bodies. For resource-constrained academic labs, building the infrastructure to meet these requirements can be a significant undertaking. Deyan Sultov, Co-founder and CTO of Lab Thread, put it plainly: "Data management is an integral part of early research, with both national and international funders increasingly embedding guidelines such as the FAIR principles within their application process. Putting these systems in place can be extremely resource-intensive, something that can be challenging for academic and non-profit research where budgets are limited. Lab Thread aims to relieve that pressure, giving researchers a fully integrated solution to collaborate and advance scientific discovery, backed by rigorous data practices." The platform is built around ease of use, a stated priority, given that the researchers it targets are unlikely to have dedicated IT or data management staff. Pre-built ELN templates, for example, are designed to reduce the set-up time that often discourages adoption of digital tools in smaller labs. Teams can record methods, data, DNA constructs, and experimental analyses, with collaboration and communication features built directly into the workflow. Dr Ryan Cawood, Co-founder and CEO, said the response to the beta release had helped shape the product: "Since launching the Lab Thread platform in Beta last year, we've been delighted with the feedback from our early adopters, which has allowed us to continue to shape the software around the things that are most important to biological researchers. With this new release of an always-free version of the software specifically for smaller academic laboratories, we hope that Lab Thread will help to nurture early-stage research and ensure users are equipped with the tools they need to implement effective data management into their projects from the very beginning." Whether the platform will gain meaningful traction in a space already occupied by established ELN providers and open-source alternatives remains to be seen. But the free access model, combined with a focus on FAIR compliance and a design philosophy aimed at reducing barriers rather than adding them, gives Lab Thread a clear and credible angle for reaching labs that might otherwise go without. Access to the academic version is by registration and subject to verification. Interested researchers can sign up via the Lab Thread website. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

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This partnership is set to combine Asimov’s cutting-edge gene editing platform with Revopsis’s expertise in rare genetic diseases, potentially accelerating the development of next-generation gene therapies. < Back Asimov and Revopsis Therapeutics Enter Strategic Licensing Agreement to Advance Gene Therapy Solutions This partnership is set to combine Asimov’s cutting-edge gene editing platform with Revopsis’s expertise in rare genetic diseases, potentially accelerating the development of next-generation gene therapies. Innovative Collaboration to Drive Genetic Medicine Forward Asimov , renowned for its advanced work in synthetic biology and genome engineering, has partnered with Revopsis Therapeutics to enhance the development of gene therapies. Under the newly signed agreement, Revopsis will gain access to Asimov’s state-of-the-art gene-editing technologies, including its proprietary tools for precise genetic modification and optimization. Revopsis, a company focused on rare and inherited genetic disorders, is poised to leverage these advanced tools to develop innovative treatments for conditions that currently lack effective therapeutic options. As part of the agreement, Asimov will provide its technology to support the design, development, and potential commercialization of gene therapies for genetic diseases, with a particular focus on rare and hard-to-treat disorders. A Leap Forward in Genetic Medicine This strategic alliance comes at a critical time in the gene therapy landscape. With advancements in gene editing technologies such as CRISPR and other synthetic biology tools, the potential to address previously untreatable genetic conditions has never been greater. However, bringing these breakthroughs to patients requires overcoming significant technical and regulatory hurdles. The collaboration between Asimov and Revopsis seeks to address these challenges by combining their expertise to accelerate the development of safe, effective therapies. Dr. Johnathan Taylor, CEO of Asimov, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing how Revopsis’s mission aligns with Asimov’s vision of using synthetic biology to solve complex health problems. “Together, we aim to bring transformative treatments to patients suffering from rare genetic diseases, with the goal of improving lives and advancing the field of gene therapy,” Dr. Taylor stated. For Revopsis, the collaboration represents a significant step forward in its quest to develop gene therapies for genetic diseases with high unmet medical needs. “By incorporating Asimov’s cutting-edge gene-editing technologies, we believe we can expedite our efforts to deliver safe, effective treatments that will transform the lives of patients and their families,” said Dr. Rachel Fernandez, CEO of Revopsis Therapeutics. Impact on the Future of Gene Therapy This licensing agreement is more than just a partnership between two companies; it signals a broader trend in the biotechnology sector toward greater collaboration in the quest for solutions to rare genetic diseases. By merging expertise in synthetic biology with a deep understanding of genetic disorders, Asimov and Revopsis aim to push the boundaries of what is possible in gene therapy. While it is still early in the development process, the partnership’s potential for innovation and impact on the treatment of rare genetic diseases is considerable. The use of precise gene-editing tools to address the root causes of these disorders could transform patient outcomes and pave the way for a new era of personalized medicine. Conclusion The licensing agreement between Asimov and Revopsis Therapeutics marks an exciting milestone in the pursuit of next-generation gene therapies. By combining Asimov’s groundbreaking gene-editing technologies with Revopsis’s expertise in rare genetic diseases, this collaboration holds the promise of delivering transformative treatments that could change the lives of countless patients. As the field of gene therapy continues to evolve, this partnership is a promising step forward in the fight against genetic disorders. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

The 128,000-sq-ft GMP cell and gene therapy facility in New Jersey, expands the CDMOs U.S. capabilities in plasmid, AAV, and LVV manufacturing. < Back ProBio Opens Cell and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence in New Jersey The 128,000-sq-ft GMP cell and gene therapy facility in New Jersey, expands the CDMOs U.S. capabilities in plasmid, AAV, and LVV manufacturing. The announcement from ProBio, GenScript’s CDMO arm, that it has inaugurated a flagship Cell and Gene Therapy Center of Excellence in New Jersey is not just another ribbon-cutting; it's a strategic move with implications for the entire biotech ecosystem. The Hopewell facility, purpose-built at 128,000 square feet, offers GMP manufacturing capacity for plasmid DNA and viral vectors including AAV (adeno-associated virus) and LVV (lentiviral vector), both of which are central to the expanding pipeline of gene and cell therapy candidates. With clinical-grade AAV production slated for Q3 2025 and LVV to follow in Q1 2026, ProBio is positioning itself to support the full arc of therapeutic development, from early-stage process development to clinical readiness, all under one roof. This is a welcome and timely development. Demand for high-quality GMP vector production continues to outpace supply, particularly as more biotechs advance into IND-enabling studies. In viral vector manufacturing, the bottleneck is not always scientific, it’s infrastructural. Facilities like this don’t just add capacity; they inject flexibility, speed, and resilience into the pipeline. Allen Guo, CEO of ProBio, captured this sentiment well: “This is not just a new facility. It is a beacon of hope for patients waiting for cures.” And he's right. The center’s proximity to major research hospitals and precision medicine hubs in the Northeast will likely accelerate trial enrollment and tech transfer, giving developers a geographic and operational edge. Additionally, there is an economic impact that should be noted here. With over 110 highly skilled jobs being created, the Hopewell site anchors New Jersey even more firmly as a nexus of advanced biomanufacturing. As John Coelho from NJEDA says, “The opening of ProBio will be a significant enhancement to the cell and gene biologics development and biomanufacturing ecosystem.” As we shift from the era of biologics to the era of curative gene and cell therapies, infrastructure like ProBio’s Hopewell facility will be the backbone. The technologies are exciting, but it's the execution at scale, and under GMP, that will determine how many patients actually benefit. ProBio has laid a strong brick in that foundation. Let’s hope many more follow. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

FUJIFILM pledged major investment into Diosynth Biotechnologies manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, US. < Back FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies Restructures for Strategic Growth FUJIFILM pledged major investment into Diosynth Biotechnologies manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, US. Major expansion in North Carolina FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is making a substantial investment of $3.2 billion to expand its biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This expansion will create 725 new jobs and significantly increase the production capacity for advanced therapies, including gene therapies and monoclonal antibodies. The project emphasizes the importance of attracting and retaining top talent to drive innovation and operational excellence. Workforce restructuring While expanding in North Carolina, FUJIFILM Diosynth is also undergoing a restructuring plan that may result in the loss of 240 jobs in the U.S. and U.K. This aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency across its global network. The restructuring is part of the company’s effort to optimize resources and adapt to the evolving demands of the biopharmaceutical industry. New cell culture facility In line with its expansion efforts, FUJIFILM Diosynth recently broke ground on a new state-of-the-art cell culture facility in North Carolina. This facility is a critical component of the $3.2 billion investment and is expected to further boost the company’s manufacturing capabilities, ensuring it meets the growing global demand for biopharmaceutical products. These initiatives reflect FUJIFILM Diosynth's commitment to balancing growth with efficiency, positioning itself as a leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The expansion, coupled with strategic restructuring, aims to ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation while optimizing its operations for future challenges. Author BioFocus Newsroom Previous Next

< Back Collaborating Across Sectors to Eliminate Cervical Cancer Uniting innovation, equity, and cross-sector collaboration to scale prevention, expand access, and turn cervical cancer into the first cancer eliminated worldwide. The elimination of cervical cancer stands as one of the greatest opportunities for public health of our time. For the first time in history, we have the tools, strategy, and collaborative momentum to eliminate a cancer entirely. Yet, currently, over 350,000 women lose their lives to this preventable disease every year, with the overwhelming majority in low- and middle-income countries. While we are within touching distance of elimination, achieving those last, challenging steps will depend on action from all sectors, including the healthcare industry. The World Health Organization’s 90-70-90 strategy provides us with a clear roadmap: 90% of girls to be vaccinated, 70% of women to receive high-performance screening, and 90% of women identified with cervical disease to receive treatment. It’s a strategy that could save as many as 14 million lives by 2070. But challenges remain. While we have the technology to meet these targets, implementing solutions at scale, and ensuring they can be accessed by some of the most marginalised populations, requires the combined effort of governments, health systems, the private sector and communities working together. None of us can succeed alone. The basis of elimination Cervical cancer elimination is possible because of three essential elements: screening, vaccination, and treatment. Together, they provide a powerful toolkit, saving individual lives and offering a path to global elimination. Screening has long been the cornerstone of cervical cancer prevention. High-income countries with established screening programmes have drastically reduced cancer rates by detecting abnormalities early, and ensuring patients receive treatment at an early stage, when it’s most effective. Vaccination has further transformed this landscape, protecting against the root cause of 99% of all cases – HPV infection. But it’s not a perfect solution. Vaccines delivered today will take decades to fully impact incidence, meaning that millions of women at risk today and the 100,000’s who will be diagnosed annually need prevention interventions now. This is why screening is essential, to change the course of the disease for women, working alongside vaccination to protect future generations. Australia offers a glimpse of what is possible when these tools are combined effectively. By integrating high vaccination coverage with accessible and innovative screening approaches and treatment, the country is on track to become the first in the world to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within the next decade. Breaking down barriers to cervical screening HPV infections are common, and in most cases, the immune system controls them effectively, reducing the virus to undetectable levels without causing harm. But left untreated, HPV infections can develop into cervical cancer, making screening a vital step in preventing deaths. Yet, despite its importance, many women face barriers that stop them from accessing screening in the first place. A recent survey highlighted the emotional and practical challenges that women face when it comes to screening. Fear of pain or discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety about test results prevent 30% of women from attending screenings. Practical barriers such as family responsibilities, work commitments, and difficulties booking appointments were also an issue cited by 22% of respondents. A lack of awareness or support further compounds the problem; only 18% of women said they had discussed their fears about screening with someone else. When women avoid screening, the entire care pathway breaks down, leaving preventable cancers undetected and untreated. Addressing these barriers is essential to achieving global elimination. Making cervical screening easier and more accessible The healthcare industry has an important role to play here. Innovative approaches to cervical screening are beginning to remove some of the key barriers that stop women from engaging with prevention. Innovations like self-sampling kits allow women to collect their own samples privately, removing concerns related to discomfort, stigma, or lack of time. Survey data reflects the potential of this approach, with 27% of millennials – the generation most likely to cancel or postpone a screening appointment – saying they would be more likely to participate in screening if self-collection were available. Other breakthrough solutions, such as menstrual blood diagnostics , are being trialled to make testing even less invasive and more accessible, particularly in low-resource settings. These innovations have the potential to revolutionise cervical cancer screening by making it easier, faster, and more inclusive. To realise their full potential, these innovations must be integrated into health systems and made widely available to the women that need them most. Enabling equity at scale Addressing systemic inequalities in cervical cancer prevention is as much about implementation as it is about innovation. While tools like these are helping break down the barriers women experience, ensuring they deliver meaningful impact requires collaboration across governments, health systems, communities, and the healthcare industry. Each stakeholder has a role to play, and the private sector’s contribution is critical – not only in driving innovation but in ensuring that these solutions are adaptable, affordable, and accessible to women everywhere. In many low-resource settings, gaps in healthcare infrastructure, from fragmented laboratory systems to insufficient diagnostic and treatment capacities, mean that even the most promising tools fail to reach women at risk. Tackling these challenges requires collaboration to build and strengthen systems capable of delivering effective care at scale. In Peru, an industry partnership with the Ministry of Health has enabled the successful introduction of HPV self-collection and molecular testing for nearly half a million underserved women – many of whom live in rural or hard-to-reach areas. By reducing the need to travel to clinics and offering the chance for women to collect their own samples privately and at their convenience, logistical barriers and cultural sensitivities have been overcome, ensuring women are not prevented from seeking care. This partnership also demonstrates how industry can work with health systems to embed innovations sustainably. By integrating HPV self-collection into Peru’s public healthcare infrastructure, the programme has created a sustainable model for cervical cancer prevention that can serve communities for years to come. Collaborating to overcome systemic barriers Achieving elimination at scale depends on partnerships that bring together governments, healthcare providers, industry, and communities to align resources, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure lasting impact. Blended financing models offer one way to support the long-term sustainability of prevention programmes. By combining public funding with private sector contributions and donor investments, governments can ensure that cervical cancer prevention becomes an enduring feature of national health strategies. In practice, this might mean a government funds and operates clinical infrastructure, such as screening centres and treatment pathways, while industry partners provide comprehensive support beyond just diagnostic technologies. Government tenders can group volumes together to lower costs and require additional services like specialised training for laboratories and education for healthcare workers. In Peru, the Ministry of Health co-ordinated the screening programme, while Roche provided the molecular testing platforms, self-collection kits, and logistical expertise required to integrate these tools into a nationwide screening strategy for remote communities. The value of this approach has been reinforced by recent roundtable discussions involving national ministries of health, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders. These discussions highlighted how aligning government priorities with multilateral efforts and private sector collaboration creates opportunities to anchor cervical cancer elimination initiatives within national health plans and insurance schemes. Such mechanisms, including multilateral procurement frameworks and cost-sharing models, provide predictable resources to sustain long-term progress and reach marginalised populations. Collaboration at the community level is also essential to driving uptake. Partnering with grassroots organisations, local leaders, and advocates ensures interventions resonate with the cultural and social contexts of women’s lives. Strong community engagement helps build trust, address stigma, and empower women to engage confidently in prevention and care. Designing programmes alongside communities ensures that solutions respond to women’s lived realities, making prevention efforts more inclusive and effective. Conclusion: turning commitment into action The elimination of cervical cancer is no longer a distant goal. With effective tools, robust strategies, and growing collaborative momentum, achieving this vision is within reach. However, success depends on how we act now. Governments must lead by embedding cervical cancer prevention into national health systems, creating long-term strategies that integrate vaccination, screening, and treatment as core services. Communities must play their part by driving awareness, building trust, and empowering women to engage with care. The private sector, meanwhile, must continue to support innovation and access while partnering with governments to deliver equitable and sustainable solutions. The WHO’s 90-70-90 strategy provides a clear path forward. But it’s only through collective action and an unwavering focus on equity that this promise can be fulfilled. Together, we can eradicate cervical cancer as a global health threat and ensure that no woman dies from this preventable disease. Now is the time to turn ambition into action and deliver one of the most profound public health achievements of our time. Author Joanna Sickler , Vice-President, Health Policy & External Affairs, Roche Diagnostics Previous Next