24–26 September 2026 | Hong Kong
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) participated in WCC, the World Cancer Congress 2026, and brought its perspective on how voluntary licensing and partnerships can help expand equitable access to cancer medicines in low- and middle-income countries.
Organised by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the World Cancer Congress brought together cancer organisations, health professionals, policymakers, researchers, advocates and people with lived experience from around the world to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to improve cancer prevention, treatment and care.
MPP’s participation focused on the role that voluntary licensing can play in expanding access to cancer medicines and supporting broader efforts to improve equitable access to treatment.
Session overview
How do we ensure that breakthroughs in cancer treatment translate into real access for patients, wherever they live?
That was at the heart of our discussion today at the World Cancer Congress, where we explored how to move from innovation to timely, affordable and sustainable access to cancer medicines in low- and middle-income countries.
Using the public-health voluntary licence for nilotinib as a case study, our all-women panel brought together patient, clinical, civil society and access perspectives:
And throughout the discussion, our moderators Salome Meyer and Stella Bialous, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), helped bring these perspectives together around a common question: what will it take to build an access model that is sustainable at country level?
The overarching message was clear: we should measure cancer innovation not only by what science can achieve, but by whether that innovation reaches the patients who need it.
Voluntary licensing can be part of the solution. But equitable access ultimately requires quality-assured supply, affordability, diagnostics, sustainable financing, strong health systems, patient engagement and government leadership, all working together.
Innovation matters. Innovation that reaches patients matters even more.
Abstract Presentation > From Patent to Patients: Early Findings from Voluntary Licensing model for Cancer Medicines through the ATOM Coalition – Giulia Segafredo, MPP
Date and time: Friday 25 September | 14:00 to 15:00 (GMT+8)
Rapide Fire Stage 1
Throughout the conference, MPP welcomed partners and participants at Booth C30 in the exhibition area, to learn more about our work on access to cancer medicines and the role of voluntary licensing in helping make innovative treatments available in low- and middle-income countries.
MPP also hosted a series of short sessions and conversations at booth C30 throughout the Congress.
The MPP Community Advisory Panel in Action Why do community voices matter for access to medicines? Join CAP members Denise Ejoh, Salomé Meyer and Gertrude Nakigudde as they discuss how their insights and lived experiences contribute to MPP’s strategic thinking and decision-making.
The session was live streamed on YouTube.
MPP Explained: Expanding Access Through Voluntary Licensing (Chinese/English bilingual session) Curious about MPP’s work? This session, delivered in Chinese, will introduce MPP’s model, explain how voluntary licensing works, and explore how it supports access to innovative medicines in low- and middle-income countries.
Meet the MPP Team!
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 innovative medicines and other health technologies 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 health products and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 23 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, one antiviral treatment for influenza, 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 Coeffient Giving. MPP’s activities in technology transfer are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Government of Flanders and SDC.