BIG Against Cancer shared a post on LinkedIn:
“After more than 25 years dedicated to advancing international breast cancer research, and despite exploring every possible avenue to ensure long-term sustainability, BIG is facing financial challenges that can no longer be overcome. As a result, the Breast International Group will begin a gradual wind-down of its activities, with closure expected by the end of 2026.
What remains unchanged is our commitment to ongoing research. All active studies will continue without interruption, and the scientific and operational work of BIG Headquarters in Brussels will be transferred to partner organisations to ensure full continuity and future benefit for people with breast cancer.
We are deeply grateful to all the women and men who have donated their time to participate in our studies over the years, as well as our researchers, partners, donors and patient advocates from around the world for their trust and support. BIG’s impact will endure through the knowledge generated, the collaborations built, and the advances achieved together.
Read the press release on our website.”
Philippe Aftimos, Director of the Innovative Therapies Clinic at Jules Bordet Institute on LinkedIn, shared a post about BIG Against Cancer’s announcement on LinkedIn:
“This is a very sad day for breast cancer research and academic research as a whole.
The BIG against breast cancer has played a major role in fostering collaboration between researchers worldwide.
It has contributed to pivotal clinical trials that led to approval of drugs that improved cure rates such as aromatase inhibitors, trastuzumab, pertuzumab and olaparib, while ensuring that data and samples were controlled by academia.
Research ideas were always built with patients’ need as a priority. Important initiatives such as POSITIVE only existed thanks to academic efforts.
People at BIG headquarters were the heart and soul of the organization. I would like to express my heart-felt support to all members of the staff and leadership. Some people have been there since day one.
Also, an unfortunate occasion for us in the research cancer field to reflect, discuss and work together on safeguarding independent academic research.”
Laurence Buisseret, Director of the Medical Oncology Department at Institute Jules Bordet, shared a post by Philippe Aftimos, adding:
“The closure of the BIG against breast cancer raises serious concern: what place do we still want to give to academic research? The current direction of things clearly calls for a deeper debate.”
More posts featuring Laurence Buisseret and Philippe Aftimos on OncoDaily.