Advancing Precision Medicine: Reflections from Zagreb
From Testing to Targeted Treatments (FT3) is a global, multi-stakeholder initiative working to improve access to precision medicine by advancing biomarker testing, strengthening care coordination, and supporting more personalized approaches to treatment. The Global Colon Cancer Association is a proud member of FT3, and Nicole Sheahan, GCCA's President, serves on their board.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month came to a close with time in Zagreb, Croatia, where I joined fellow FT3 Board Members for our Spring meeting, hosted by Ivica Belina.
Spending time in Croatia gave me a deeper understanding of what access to precision medicine looks like in practice, both the progress that has been made and where gaps still remain. I am grateful to Ivica for hosting us in his beautiful country. Bringing the group together in his home setting added an important layer of context to our discussions and grounded the work in the reality of how care is delivered locally.
A highlight of the meeting was visiting the University Hospital Center and the Center for Personalized Medicine. Hearing directly from clinicians added a practical perspective to our discussions and reinforced the importance of aligning systems with the pace of scientific progress.
A significant portion of our time together was focused on aligning on FT3’s priorities for the year ahead, including where we see the greatest opportunities to drive impact and where risks remain. We spent time reviewing our demonstration pilots, which are central to FT3’s approach, and discussing how to scale what is working while being realistic about the resources and partnerships required to do so. There was also a strong focus on strengthening our policy and access efforts, ensuring that advances in precision medicine are not only developed, but actually reach patients.
As part of the discussion, I shared an update on our work in Mexico where GCCA has partnered with FT3 and member organization, FUTEJE. This work is focused on improving access to biomarker testing and precision medicine, and on identifying practical ways to close the gap between testing and treatment. It is a clear example of how FT3’s approach can be applied in a real-world setting, with lessons that can inform broader efforts. As a member organization of FT3, GCCA is proud to contribute to this work and to bring the patient and advocacy perspective into the broader conversation.
It was also a pleasure to welcome Espen Walker from AstraZeneca as a new member of the Board. He has already proven to be a valuable addition to the Board, bringing important perspective that will strengthen FT3’s work moving forward.
I am looking forward to the year ahead and to continuing to build on what we discussed in Zagreb. The opportunity now is to take what we know is working and apply it more consistently, so that patients benefit not just from innovation, but from systems that are able to deliver it.
To learn more, visit www.fromtestingtotargetedtreatments.org.