2025 Agenda

8:45am

Welcome from the Chair

Journalist and Broadcaster, host of RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
8:55am

GOVERNMENT ADDRESS:

9:15am

OPENING KEYNOTE:

Living longer and better: The European cancer roadmap to 2030

Learn about the mission’s goals to improve cancer understanding, optimize treatments, and enhance the quality of life for patients and caregivers

Vice-chair, Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Boards, European Commission

An all- island cancer research strategy

9:35am

Cancer Knows No Borders – an all-island blueprint for cancer research and care 

Professor of Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Co-Lead, AICRI
Professor of Social Policy, Ulster University
9:55am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

From vision to reality: Delivering an all-island cancer research strategy

Key stakeholders outline their vision for a world-leading cancer research strategy for the island of Ireland 

Dr Deirdre Quinn, Senior Manager, Research & Research Policy, HEA
Head of Research and Innovation Infrastructures, Health Research Board
Country Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Ireland
Co-lead, All island Cancer Research Institute 9AICRI), Professor of Cancer Biology, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD
10:30am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Wishlist for policymakers on the island of Ireland

Where have we come from, what have we achieved, what are the next frontiers?

Our panel of stakeholders discuss key aspects of cancer policy, strategies they want to see implemented to enhance research, access to treatments, equity and improved patient outcomes on the island of Ireland. Plus, life after cancer and the problem of financial discrimination cancer survivors are facing

Chief Executive, Irish Cancer Society
Director of Oncology and Interim Leader of Human Health, MSD Ireland
Professor of Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Co-Lead, AICRI
11:05am

N. Ireland Government Address

Health Minister for Northern Ireland
11:20am

Morning Networking Break & Exhibition Viewing

Stream 1: Research & Innovation

11.35am - 1.05pm

11:35am

Welcome from the Chair

Journalist and Broadcaster, host of RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
11:40am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Improving Ireland’s clinical trials landscape

Ireland lags behind other European countries when it comes to attracting clinical trials.

  • Developing a new strategy to increase the number of clinical trials
  • How will we make the island of Ireland a destination of choice for cancer clinical trials? 
  • Exploring models of academic and industry partnerships (POI, FMI, ARC, REACH Health)
Country Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Ireland
Chair of Patients Consultants Committee, Cancer Trials Ireland
Professor of Radiation Oncology, Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast & Consultant Prostate Cancer Oncologist
Clinical Professor, Consultant Medical Oncologist, UCC & Director, Cancer Trials Ireland
12:00pm

Data sharing: How an all-island approach to data sharing can save lives

Professor of Cancer Genomics and Director of the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, University of Limerick School of Medicine
12:15pm

CASE STUDY:

Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (QUB) & START Ireland

Consultant medical oncologist, Mater Hospital & Associate Director of Research for START Dublin

Stream 2: What’s next for Cancer Prevention & Early Detection?

11.35am – 1.05pm

11:35am

Welcome from the Chair

GP, Churchtown Medical, media commentator & columnist
11:40am

Revolutionising cancer screening & demystifying new diagnostic technologies in cancer detection

The recent torrent of innovation in cancer screening technologies promise significant improvements in early detection and diagnosis. While many of these novel or non-standard techniques and approaches have the potential to improve patient experiences or screen for cancers that were previously unable to be screened for, some of the most promising are still being evaluated. So what is the right way to think about integrating these novel technologies into preventive care?

Academic Director of the Clinical Trials Unit, King’s College London
12:00pm

CASE STUDY:

The potential of multi cancer early detection( MCED)

Advances in genome sequencing and machine learning have facilitated the development of blood-based multi-cancer early detection tests intended to complement single-cancer screening. Hear how MCED tests can interrogate circulating cell-free DNA to detect a shared cancer signal across multiple tumour types

12:20pm

CASE STUDY:

Next-generation liquid biopsy technologies 

Chair of Pharmacology and Biomedicine, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, TCD & Research Lead of the OECI-designated Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) cancer centre
12:35pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Putting patients and outcomes first: We know what works – how do we do more of it?

We know that improving access to evidence-based screening, early diagnosis and timely treatment is essential for avoiding mortality and morbidity for patients, wasting resources and increasing costs of late-stage care. So, why does equitable access to screening, earlier diagnosis and treatment remain slow? Our panel discusses improving access to screening, diagnosis and treatment emphasising the role of innovation and best practices 

Drirector, NI Cancer Registry & Consultant in Public Health Medicine
CEO, Marie Keating Foundation

Stream 3: Treatment, Access & Survivorship: Bringing equity and inclusivity to cancer care

11.35am – 1.05pm

11:35am

Welcome from the Chair

PhD MPharm, CEO / Founder Facilipharma Ltd.
11:40am

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Reducing inequalities in cancer care

In the Republic “Do you have health insurance?” is a question that sadly has to be asked more and more by oncologists. How do we reduce health inequalities in cancer care? Are public cancer patients being left behind in a two-tier health system? Accessing the treatments that are proven to work. 

Country President for Ireland (Commercial Operations), AstraZeneca
IPHA Vice President, Chair of IPHA Market Access Forum and Country Director of Amgen Ireland
Chief Executive, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Chartered Director, Board Chair, Non Executive Director, Strategic Advisor, Adj. Associate Professor, former DG, HSE
12:15pm

CASE STUDY:

GENE-ONC

How genomics is supporting healthcare providers and patients

Chair and Professor of Nursing, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery,| University College Cork
12:30pm

Putting patient’s experiences of cancer treatment & survivorship at the centre of pathway design and priority areas for improvement

Lecturer (clinical) Department of General Practice, RCSI
Cancer Health Economist, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queens University Belfast
1:05pm

Networking Lunch Break & Exhibition Viewing

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSIONS

2:05pm

Welcome back from the Chair

Journalist and Broadcaster, host of RTE Radio 1’s Morning Ireland
2:25pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

The role and potential of shared care community-based cancer care in Ireland

Can the administration of SACT (Systemic Ant-cancer Treatments) in the community setting improve patient outcomes?

Director of Clinical Affairs, Irish Cancer Society
Consultant Medical Oncologist, University Hospital Galway, Medical Oncology Cancer MCAN Group Lead for the North-NorthWest Hospital Group, Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Galway.
Oncology Services Manager, TCP Homecare

AI, Data & Digital

2:55pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

How is AI transforming cancer care in Ireland and worldwide?

  • How ireland is actively working to implement AI-powered tools to transform oncology
  • Embracing the power of digital twins in cancer research and care
  • Digital upskilling oncologists and cancer care professionals

Director, Systems Biology Ireland & Precision Oncology Ireland Consortium, School of Medicine, UCD
3:30pm

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Future drug discovery

  • Empowering drug discovery in a Gen AI world:The emergence of generative AI technologies has revolutionised the way we interact with data and its potential applications in drug discovery
  • Unlocking the potential of genomic innovations – commitments to delivering genomics in the 10-year Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland
  • Vaccines – emerging evidence of links between viral infections and cancer 

4:05pm

Closing remarks & summit close

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