The good news, Gruber tells the Budapest Business Journal in an exclusive interview, is that, even as progress is made on survivability, cures for some cancers might be within reach, although putting a precise timetable on that is not yet possible.
“It’s a complicated question from a science perspective. For sure, we will not be able to cure every cancer because every tumor type is different and has many mutations. Still, significant progress has been made in oncology in the last decades, and we are relentlessly working on developing promising new treatments,” Gruber notes.
MSD’s mission is to “use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.” And the truth is that Hungary plays a surprisingly significant role in that endeavor.
The innovative pharmaceutical company has close to 200 employees in Hungary. Its human health unit deals with traditional activities, including sales, marketing, and market access, and controls a wide range of therapeutic areas. It also has an animal health division.
A distribution center here serves 14 Eastern European markets. MSD does not have a manufacturing site in Hungary, although “We are exploring options,” Gruber says. What the firm does have is a large in-country clinical research operation. Indeed, it is one of the leading companies in Hungary in this field based on the number of trials.
“We have about 85 active clinical trials up and running at almost 290 hospital and institution sites with about 1,100 patients enrolled,” Gruber says. The investment into clinical trials last year was around HUF 3 billion, of which HUF 1 bln was medicines, she explains.
Therapeutic focus areas are oncology (80% of the Hungarian trials fall into this area), vaccines, infectious diseases and so on. MSD is also returning to a previous area of research: cardiovascular, with upcoming trials dealing with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare but severe condition.
Say “cancer,” and most people will probably have two thoughts: tumors and death. Let’s take the latter point first.
“When you look at lung cancer, for example, the outlooks used to be really grim. Modern treatments such as immunotherapy have been redefining the survival expectation of cancer patients. In less than a decade, these treatments have truly transformed cancer care in Hungary, including a doubling of the three-year survival rate in certain types of lung cancer through the implementation of immunotherapy,” Gruber says.1
She has worked for MSD for 15 years, including leadership positions in China and Singapore. Managing director of the Hungarian operation for three years, her training was as a doctor, and she speaks with evident passion about the possibilities of cures and prevention through early intervention. Not just in terms of catching cancers early but also in treating people younger. Because the earlier any cancer is found, the greater the likelihood of cure.
There is a societal impact on patients and families of lives saved and extended. But there is also a national impact. Treating cancers early is less expensive in the long run. Cured patients can return to productive work earlier, and while there is still a financial cost to the healthcare system in providing treatment, if only for selfish national economic motives, the rewards outweigh that. It is the medical equivalent of a stitch in time, saves nine.
While most cancers result from gene mutations within the body, it isn’t always the case. Some come from viral infections, like human papillomavirus or HPV. Many virus infections can be prevented effectively through vaccination, and that is the case with certain types of HPV.2 Hungary has a successful school-based program for children, where boys and girls are offered the HPV vaccine for free.
“It has been running for a decade and has been an amazing success with about 80-83% vaccination rate in girls that is considered high even within the region.3,” Gruber explains. “Naturally, the fight against HPV-related cancers does not stop at children; adults can also prevent HPV infections.”4
The BBJ has previously written about the unique data goldmine Hungary has due to its highly centralized nationwide data collection system. It is an advantage MSD is keen to exploit for the benefit of patients everywhere.
“Regarding data generation and research, we have seven strategic partnership agreements with universities and hospitals. We recently signed one with the National Institute of Oncology, the region’s largest specialized care provider, and we are open to further cooperation,” Gruber says.
“We have set up a specialized unit dedicated to local data, as well as real-world evidence generation, since unlike in many other European countries, we have valuable data available in Hungary to build on,” she says.
“The Hungarian sick fund’s full national coverage makes it possible to carry out epidemiological research uniquely and comprehensively. Through data insights and academia-industrial collaborations, we may help decision-makers choose the right interventions. Furthermore, we can supply the Hungarian government with a comprehensive dataset to tackle challenges, further optimize patient outcomes and build more sustainable health care systems,” Gruber explains.
“Our ultimate objective is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, can access the appropriate medicines and vaccines they require. Expanding the reach of transformative treatments allows more patients to benefit and remain cancer-free.”
Again, that dedication shines through, and a hope for a better future for all.
This publication was made possible by MSD. MSD Pharma Hungary Kft. 1095 Budapest, Lechner Ödön fasor 10/B, [email protected], www.msd.hu, +36-1-888-5300 HU-NON-01235| Date of closing: 08/07/2024
1 Kiss et al. Significant changes in advanced lung cancer survival during the past decade in Hungary. Frontiersin.org Date of viewing: 5/5/24 2 WHO Weekly epidemiological record 2022, 97, 645–672. Date of viewing: 8/7/4 3 Aranypajzs I/4 2022. Dr. Molnár Zs.: A HPV elleni védőoltás bevezetése Magyarországon. Date of viewing: 8/7/4 4 www.antsz.hu/data/cms102448/Felnottkori_oltasok_utemezesenek_ajanlasa.pdf Date of viewing: 8/7/4
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of July 12, 2024.
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