Our Model
the Equitable Oncology Model
Breakthroughs in cancer treatment should
also be breakthroughs in patient access.
The Equitable Oncology Model brings together people, expertise, resources and funding to support the advancement of cancer treatments that meet strict criteria for improving access. The aim is to help more patients access treatment without placing a financial burden on their families.
The way a treatment is developed influences who benefits from it. By considering the practical barriers that can influence access alongside scientific and clinical development, the model creates greater opportunities for advances in cancer treatment to reach the people who need them.
why it matters
Every day, people miss out on advances in cancer treatment or face a financial burden to access them.
For patients and their families, access can be influenced by where they live, what treatment is available and what they can afford.
Everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from advances in cancer treatment. Scientific progress matters most when it reaches more of the people who need it.
access by design
Access starts with treatment development.
Many factors beyond scientific and clinical outcomes can determine whether a treatment can reach patients in the real world.
Treatment cost, manufacturability and scalability, storage and supply requirements, ease of administration and the healthcare infrastructure needed for delivery can all influence access.
The criteria will differ between programmes, reflecting the characteristics of each treatment and the opportunities to improve patient access.
K5K demonstrates the Equitable Oncology Model requirements in practice, with a target treatment cost of USD $5,000 or less per treatment course, simplified administration,ambient-temperature stability above 40°C and scalable manufacturing.
philanthropy
enables
Philanthropic funding can help bring cancer innovation within reach of the patients who need it.
Developing and enabling access to innovative cancer treatments requires significant funding. Philanthropy can support different stages of that pathway, from treatment development and clinical trials to addressing practical barriers that influence patient access.
By funding treatment development philanthropically, we reduce the need for those costs to be recovered through the eventual treatment price, helping support long-term affordability.
Where appropriate, Equitable Oncology may also take an equity interest in the treatments and programmes it supports, allowing us to share in the success we help create. Any resulting returns can be reinvested to advance further cancer treatments and support our charitable purpose — one of the ways this model differs from a traditional funding charity.
working together
Bringing together existing capability to deliver impact rather than duplicating it.
Equitable Oncology brings together the expertise, infrastructure, resources and philanthropic funding needed to advance cancer treatments.
Researchers, clinicians, healthcare providers, industry, philanthropists, philanthropic organisations and other specialist contributors can support our work in different ways, including as Equitable Oncology Partners, Service Providers and Supporters.
This collaborative approach enables organisations and individuals to contribute expertise, infrastructure, resources or funding while remaining independent, making better use of what already exists to further Equitable Oncology's charitable purpose.
lasting impact
Philanthropic funding has the potential to create impact well beyond the programme it initially supports.
K5K is the first programme being advanced through the Equitable Oncology Model, but the potential impact extends much further.
As Equitable Oncology grows, the model is intended to support additional cancer treatments and other charitable initiatives that improve patient access. Funding, knowledge, relationships and capability established through one programme can help create more opportunities for patients to access cancer treatment in the future.
Where Equitable Oncology shares in the success it helps create, resulting returns can also be reinvested to support future programmes and further our charitable purpose. This creates a cycle of impact, giving philanthropic funding the potential to create value more than once.
This approach does not replace philanthropy. It has the potential to strengthen its impact over time, creating lasting public benefit for patients and their families.
explore the model
Discover more about the Equitable Oncology Model, including its purpose, guiding principles and how it can help create lasting impact for patients and their families.