#WorldCancerDay 2025: Prof. Zeba Aziz on Nilotinib and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
4 February 2025
Join us for an inspiring message from Prof. ZebaAziz, a dedicated medical oncologist and member of the Expert Advisory Group at the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). In this special World Cancer Day video, Prof. Aziz shares her insights on the importance of early diagnosis and access to sustainable medicines for cancer patients worldwide.
Prof. Aziz, who has worked in Pakistan for the past 25 years, highlights the efforts of MPP and other organisations in making life-saving treatments accessible to all. She discusses the significance of the voluntary licence signed between MPP and Novartis in October 2022, which aims to increase access to nilotinib, a crucial medication for treating chronic myeloid leukaemia.
Discover how newer treatments, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have revolutionised the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, offering patients a chance at a normal life. Prof. Aziz emphasises the importance of providing affordable, high-quality medicines to patients in low- and middle-income countries, ensuring that no one is left without the care they need.
Watch this video to learn more about the unique role of MPP in promoting sustainable access to essential medicines and the ongoing efforts to improve the lives of cancer patients around the world.
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to and facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 22 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, a cancer treatment, four long-acting technologies, a post-partum haemorrhage medicine, three oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and 16 COVID-19 technologies.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Canada and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.