Helsinn Group Hosts a Satellite Symposium on Best Practice in Treating Nausea in Cancer Patients, at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) Annual Meeting 2015

LUGANO, Switzerland, June 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Helsinn Group, a Swiss Group focused on building quality cancer care, announces that tomorrow, on 26 June 2015, it is sponsoring a Satellite Symposium at the MASCC/ISOO Annual Meeting 2015, "Raising the bar in supportive care: treating nausea in cancer patients", featuring sessions led by some of the world's top experts in the management of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Helsinn is delighted to be able to support this event at the leading congress for supportive cancer care and to participate in a discussion about how to support patients, doctors and caregivers in making informed choices in this important treatment area.

Helsinn targets several common side effects that diminish the quality of life of people with cancer, including CINV, cancer-anorexia cachexia, oral mucositis and diarrhea and has now received both US and European approval for its next generation combination therapy Akynzeo^® for the prevention of CINV.

Satellite Symposium: "Raising the bar in supportive care: treating nausea in cancer patients" 

The Symposium, which will be held tomorrow from 12.45pm to 2.15pm at the Bella Centre, Auditorium 10 and 11, is the centerpiece of Helsinn's presence at MASCC. Chaired by Dr. Matti Aapro, Dean of the Multidisciplinary Oncology Institute, Genolier, Switzerland, and editor-in-chief of Quality of Life in Oncology Resource Center (http://qualityoflife.elsevierresource.com/), it will explore three key strands in the management of nausea in cancer patients: the physiology of nausea, current therapeutic approaches to nausea management and the multifactorial effects of the condition. The session will conclude with a panel discussion.

Matti Aapro, said: "It gives me great pleasure to be participating in the satellite symposium, Raising the bar in supportive care: treating nausea in cancer patients, held at MASCC/ISOO 2015. I will be joined by a world-class faculty of speakers who will discuss issues of great importance in the daily practice of physicians who treat cancer patients. During this highly interactive event, colleagues will be encouraged to share their own opinions and experiences with the faculty and with peers from all around the world. It will be a new opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of monitoring and treating the side effects of cancer therapy according to guidelines and best practices, with the aim of improving the quality of life for all cancer patients."

Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Helsinn aims to support doctors, patients, nurses and caregivers in the challenges that they have to deal with on a daily basis. Helsinn believes that we can improve the everyday life of people suffering from cancer, providing new weapons to fight against the side effects of cancer therapies. This symposium held at MASCC will help to open discussions and foster relationships that will potentially lead to patients having an improved life in the years ahead. We are proud to support this satellite and thankful to all the leading experts involved."

In addition to this symposium, Helsinn submitted 10 abstracts to the MASCC Annual Meeting on a range of topics relating to supportive care in cancer treatment, including management of CINV, cancer anorexia-cachexia and mucositis.

Notes for editors: 

About the Helsinn Group 

Helsinn is a family run, privately owned pharmaceutical group focused on building quality cancer care with a large portfolio of products. Founded in 1976 with headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland, Helsinn also has operating subsidiaries in Ireland, the USA and a representative office in China. Helsinn's business model is focused on the licensing of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nutritional supplement products in the therapeutic area of cancer care.

Helsinn Group in-licenses early-to-late stage new chemical entities, completing their development by performing pre-clinical/clinical studies as well as associated manufacturing activities. Helsinn then prepares necessary regulatory filings in order to achieve marketing approvals worldwide. Helsinn's products are out-licensed to its global network of marketing and commercial partners that have been selected for their local market knowledge and high ethical standards. Helsinn supports these partners by providing a full range of product and scientific management services, including commercial, regulatory, and medical marketing advice. Helsinn has built a large product portfolio of cancer care products with the alliance of over 65 global partners. In March 2013, Helsinn established a new commercial organization within its subsidiary, Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc., in order to conduct direct sales and marketing activities within the U.S. market. Helsinn's products are manufactured according to the highest quality, safety, and environmental standards at Helsinn's GMP facilities in Switzerland and Ireland from where they are then supplied worldwide to customers.

Further information on Helsinn Group is available at  http://www.helsinn.com  or contact:
Helsinn Group
Paola Bonvicini
Head of Communication & Press Office
Tel: +41-91-985-21-21
info-hhc@helsinn.com

For media / external inquiries
Consilium Strategic Communications  
Mary-Jane Elliott / Jessica Hodgson / Matthew Neal / Laura Thornton
Tel: +44-(0)203-709-5700
Helsinn@consilium-comms.com