IC2PerMed: EU–China Collaboration on Personalized Medicine

The Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (IC2PerMed) project supports collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the People’s Republic of China on personalized medicine research, development, innovation, and policy. Through the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed) initiative, IC2PerMed aims to help establish common approaches to personalized medicine and promote access to innovative, inclusive, and personalized healthcare solutions.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is a key partner in the IC2PerMed project, contributing to international collaboration on health policy and personalized medicine.

Why Is Personalized Medicine Important for Cancer?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its prevalence continues to rise. Traditional cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause significant side effects and may not be effective for every patient.

Personalized medicine can improve cancer prevention and treatment by tailoring healthcare approaches to an individual’s specific genetic and molecular profile. However, its wider implementation faces significant challenges, including differences in policies and approaches across regions.

International collaboration can help address these challenges by creating common ground for research, development, innovation, and policymaking. IC2PerMed brings together stakeholders working to align the EU and China to support the development and implementation of personalized medicine.

The IC2PerMed Roadmap for Personalized Medicine for Cancer

Over four years, the IC2PerMed project developed a roadmap to promote consistent approaches to personalized medicine research, development, innovation, and policy between the EU and the People’s Republic of China.

The roadmap proposes actions to strengthen alignment, establish common ground, and foster collaboration between European and Chinese stakeholders. It addresses the key areas needed to support the development and implementation of personalized medicine, from citizen engagement and healthcare workforce training to research funding, data governance, and innovation.

1. Empowering and Engaging Responsible Citizens

The roadmap identifies several priorities for supporting citizens in the development and implementation of personalized medicine:

  • Health literacy

  • Research

  • Public trust

  • Ethical challenges

2. Training and Supporting an Up-to-Date Healthcare Workforce

Healthcare professionals need appropriate knowledge, skills, and support to contribute to personalized medicine. The roadmap highlights:

  • Education and ethics

  • Collaborations

  • Policies

3. Fostering Sustainable Healthcare Systems

The roadmap addresses the considerations involved in integrating personalized medicine into sustainable healthcare systems, including:

  • Resources

  • Ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) and costs

  • Evaluation

  • Networks

4. Bringing Innovation to Market

Supporting the development and implementation of personalized medicine requires attention to innovation needs, effectiveness, and practical application. The roadmap identifies:

  • Cost-effectiveness

  • Needs assessments

  • Principles and guidelines

  • Perspectives

5. Adopting Big Data and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Solutions

Data and digital technologies are important considerations in personalized medicine. The roadmap highlights:

  • Data exchange

  • Privacy, security, and trust

  • Standards

6. Fostering Research Funding

The roadmap identifies priorities for strengthening research funding and supporting collaboration across the personalized medicine value chain:

  • Patient needs

  • Value chain

  • Synergies

7. Translating Basic and Clinical Research and Beyond

The roadmap also addresses the translation of research into developments in personalized medicine, with priorities including:

  • Omics sciences

  • Data and standards

  • Collaborations

Presenting the IC2PerMed Roadmap and Advancing International Dialogue

The IC2PerMed roadmap was presented at the High-Level Symposium on Health Policy and Personalized Medicine for Cancer: Projecting Europe-China Collaboration in the Global Arena, organized by WFPHA in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 26, 2023.

The symposium brought together high-level policymakers, scientists, and chief executive officers from international health-related organizations to discuss the importance of personalized medicine for cancer and beyond, the role of international collaboration in its implementation, and the work of the IC2PerMed consortium.

The roadmap was also presented through a series of activities, including WFPHA webinars and a dedicated workshop at the 17th World Congress on Public Health.

WFPHA’s Role in International Collaboration on Personalized Medicine

As a partner in IC2PerMed, WFPHA supports efforts to strengthen international dialogue and collaboration on personalized medicine policy. The project’s roadmap provides a framework for identifying shared priorities and promoting greater alignment between the EU and China in personalized medicine research, development, innovation, and policy.

By bringing together perspectives from different regions, IC2PerMed contributes to discussions on how personalized medicine can be developed and implemented in ways that consider citizens, healthcare professionals, healthcare systems, research, and innovation.

Learn more about the project: Visit the IC2PerMed project website and the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed) to explore the initiatives supporting international collaboration on personalized medicine.

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