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Miguel Bronchud: Key Takeaways from Kerstin N. Vokinger on Oncology Drug Innovation and Regulatory Strategy

Miguel Bronchud and Kerstin N Vokinger

Sep 3, 2025, 10:03

Miguel Bronchud: Key Takeaways from Kerstin N. Vokinger on Oncology Drug Innovation and Regulatory Strategy

Miguel Bronchud, Co-Founder and Advisory Board at Regenerative Medicine Solutions, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Switzerland, China and world drug development against cancer- at an inflection point?

Interesting comments in The Lancet Oncology from the Academic Chair for Regulation in Law, Medicine, and Technology, Faculty of Law, University of Zurich, Zurich 8001, Switzerland-

Kerstin N Vokinger, author of this article, should be congratulated for his judicious argumentation and the choice of references, some of which can be found listed below.

But it is not randomness that makes Switzerland such a good example of “arbitration” source, rather than “arbitrary” judgements.

Switzerland is a longstanding and respected pharmaceutical leader due to its innovation-focused ecosystem, high-quality talent pool, strong intellectual property protection, globally respected regulatory framework, and business-friendly environment that includes attractive tax incentives. Historical factors, such as the transition over one century ago of the Basel dye industry to pharmaceuticals (some of the earliest “magic bullets” against microbes came from textiles dyes) and the country’s neutrality during major wars, also created a stable foundation for financial and scientific growth.

Switzerland is a free and democratic multi lingual federation (actually an Helvetic Confederation but with a Federal Constitution) in the middle of Europe; with traditionally “open borders to exchange information and trade” from larger neighboring countries like Germany, France and Italy.

It boasts leading universities and research institutions that attract top-tier talent, fostering a culture of scientific development and providing a consistent source of highly skilled professionals .

Besides these arguments, Switzerland offers a robust IP regime, a key factor for protecting the significant investments pharma companies .

Also, the country’s legal framework and regulatory bodies are well-respected globally and are supportive of business growth, making it an attractive location for both established and emerging companies.   A stable economy, free trade agreements, and specific tax incentives for R&D provide financial advantages for pharmaceutical companies to operate and grow.
Cancer, on the other hand, remains in spite of much progress a leading cause of mortality across the world. Regulatory reforms have been implemented in the US and Europe to incentivise the development and approval of cancer drugs to accelerate patient access to new treatment options.

China, one of the largest global pharmaceutical markets, has also incentivised growth in the research and development of cancer drugs over the past decade, resulting in a substantial improvement in biotechnology research and an increasing number of approved cancer drugs.

See the following references On Chinese drug approvals below.

Newly approved cancer drugs in China – innovation and clinical benefit.

Cancer Drugs Approved Based on Surrogate Endpoint: A Retrospective Observational Study in the United States and China.”

Title: The importance of high-quality evidence supporting cancer drug approvals

Author: Kerstin N Vokinger

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Miguel Bronchud: Key Takeaways from Kerstin N. Vokinger on Oncology Drug Innovation and Regulatory Strategy