Expert Perspectives from EHA 2023 on Collaboration, Innovation & the Future of Hematology

Introduction:

The European Hematology Association (EHA) conference in Frankfurt, Germany brought together renowned experts and industry leaders in the field of hematology. We (Colab) had the privilege of attending this prestigious event, and in this blog post, we share the invaluable perspectives of three experts who were present at EHA.

Experts:

We caught up with the following experts to capture their insights and experiences:

• Dan Buckland - Director - Brandcast Health
• Tanya Gleeson Rhodes - Director of Development - MDS Foundation, Inc.
• Peter Loeffelhardt - Founder and Chairperson - Global MPN Scientific Foundation

Insights:

Empowering Hematologists: Fostering Meaningful Collaboration for Better Patient Outcomes

Dan, Director at Brandcast Health, emphasized the importance of collaboration in serving the needs of hematologists. According to Dan, "The way that I see congress activity being connected to patients is that Pharma needs to be better at looking through the lens of hematologists when planning their activities. Right now, there is a lot of 'push' and not enough 'pull'".

He believes that industry efforts should focus on building meaningful and trustworthy relationships with hematologists, ensuring they have quick access to relevant product information to make critical decisions for their patients.

Fostering Collaboration and Advancements: The Importance of Professional Congresses

"As a global nonprofit advocacy organization supporting patients and their families, healthcare providers, and industry partners in the areas of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and its related diseases, it is equally rewarding and important for the MDS Foundation team to meet face to face with partners in the field”, said Tanya, a representative of the MDS Foundation. "Annual professional congresses like EHA provide the opportunity to collaborate with professional MDS providers and partners to share the extremely important patient voice while learning about advancements in current treatments, therapies, clinical trials, and new treatment options”.

According to Tanya, “this collaboration is vital to the greater MDS community as it allows open and transparent communication about the needs of patients to both medical providers and industry partners”. It “gives the ability to hear what the medical professionals' needs are; to share with industry what both the patients and professionals are saying while learning about partner therapies, and to then share new information with patients”.

By bringing together different stakeholders, including patients, medical professionals, and industry partners, these events foster a collaborative environment where knowledge and experiences can be exchanged, ultimately driving progress in the field of MDS.

Tanya emphasized the significance of the information gained through this collaborative opportunity, stating:

Innovative Approaches Transforming Patient Care

Peter, Founder and Chairperson at GMPNSF, left the conference with hope and optimism as he explored the latest advancements in hematology. Peter expressed his excitement, stating:

Among the standout therapies discussed, Peter found particular inspiration in the following:

• GSK/Momoletinib: Preliminary data on Momoletinib which shows promising results for patients struggling with unresponsive anemia
• MORPHOSYS/Pelabresib: Peter appreciated MORPHOSYS's patient-centered approach with Pelabresib. Its focus on modifying the inflammatory response in myelofibrosis demonstrates a commitment to improving treatment options
• MSD (Merck) Bomedemstat: The ongoing clinical trials for Bomedemstat brought exciting news for essential thrombocythemia patients. Peter is encouraged by the emergence of new possibilities for managing the condition and improving overall well-being
• Kartos Therapeutics/Navtematlin: Peter expressed enthusiasm for the combination of Navtematlin with existing therapies for myelofibrosis
• Protagonist/Rusfertide (PTG-300): Peter shared his hopes for Rusfertide, seeing its potential as a breakthrough therapy for polycythemia vera. It offers the possibility of relief from frequent phlebotomies and iron-deficiency symptoms

Peter looks forward to the positive impact these therapies will have on patients' well-being. The conference left him and patients worldwide with gratitude and optimism, as remarkable progress in research instilled hope for healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Additionally, he mentions that the future of personalized medicines, vaccines, and CAR T innovation holds great potential for the MPN field, providing further hope for advancements in patient care.

For updates and information, Peter encourages fellow patients to visit the Global MPN Scientific Foundation's website: https://www.gmpnsf.org/.

Conclusion:

Collaboration, innovation, and advancements are essential for driving progress in hematology. By aligning industry efforts with the needs of healthcare professionals, developing innovative approaches, and fostering meaningful relationships, we can improve patient outcomes and ensure that every patient who can benefit from pharmaceutical products receives the necessary care.

We extend our gratitude to Dan, Peter, Tanya, and all the experts who have contributed their valuable perspectives to this blog post. Stay tuned as we continue to gather insights and shape the future of hematology together.