ASCO is pleased to announce that Helsinn has become the first organization to contribute $1 million to the Conquer Cancer Foundation in support of CancerLinQ™, the society's multi-phase initiative to build a rapid learning system in cancer care.

“We are grateful for Helsinn’s generous and groundbreaking contribution to our effort which we think will transform cancer care by unlocking vast quantities of information that are now lost because of unconnected information,” said Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP, President of ASCO. “CancerLinQ™ will allow us to learn from every cancer patient, not just the three percent who participate in clinical trials.”

ASCO’s vision for CancerLinQ™ is a knowledge-generating computer network that will unlock and analyze cancer care data from every possible source and feed up-to-the-minute conclusions and guidance back to physicians and patients.  The result will be higher quality, higher value care with better outcomes for patients. In June, ASCO announced that it was entering the assessment phase of this initiative, with the first step being the development of a breast cancer-specific prototype that will enable ASCO to fully assess feasibility and refine its approach in the development of the full system.

Helsinn’s contribution of $1 million over five years will support the building of the full system that encompasses all cancers.

“Helsinn is pleased to make a long-term commitment to the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in support of CancerLinQ™, a rapid learning system in oncology”, stated Dr. Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn’s Group CEO. “Helsinn is committed to help advance quality patient care through the development and commercialization of cancer supportive care treatments to benefit both patients and caregivers.”

The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Conquer Cancer Foundation will present the latest prototype developments at the society’s inaugural Quality Care Symposium, taking place November 30-December 1, 2012, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.

CancerLinQ™ is supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. For more information, please visit: www.asco.org/cancerlinq.