Dates: 1–5 November 2025
Location: Hammamet, Tunisia
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is thrilled to be present at AORTIC 2025 to advance conversations on equitable access to cancer medicines in Africa.
As part of our work in non-communicable diseases, MPP is committed to improving access to innovative cancer medicines including immuno oncology therapies that are now the standard of care in high income countries but remain largely inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries.
The conference brings together oncology leaders, researchers, advocates, and policymakers to explore how innovation, affordability, and collaboration can come together to improve patient outcomes across the continent.
Monday, 3 November | 11:00–12:00 |Hall 2
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have redefined cancer care — yet remain out of reach for most patients in Africa. This session will examine main challenges that hinder access, drawing on African expertise and experience to identify practical, early actions that can close the gap.
Why it matters:
The 2025 WHO Essential Medicines List now includes several ICIs for cancers such as metastatic colorectal, cervical, non-small cell lung cancer, and melanoma. This milestone opens the door for African stakeholders to shape policy and ensure these global recommendations translate into local access.
Agenda
Opening:
Miriam Mutebi: President, AORTIC
Consultant Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor: Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
Chair: Yehoda Martei: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division at the University of Pennsylvania, USA
Speakers:
Giulia Segafredo: Senior Access Manager, Access, Noncommunicable Diseases at the Medicines Patent Pool, Geneva, Switzerland
Verna Vanderpuye: Clinical Oncology Consultant, National Center for Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra Ghana
Phoebe Ongadi: Chief Executive Officer, Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations, (KENCO) Nairobi Kenya
Susan Msadabwe: Clinical and Radiation Oncologist at Cancer diseases Hospital, Lusaka Zambia
Gertrude Nakigudde, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Women’s Cancer Support Organisation, Kampala Uganda
Learn about our work to expand access to quality-assured cancer medicines, explore our latest NCD portfolio, take part in our interactive “MythBuster Wall” at Booth N.22.
Press and Media
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, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. 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.