FAQ

Q: What is EPEMED?

A: EPEMED stands for the European PErsonalised MEDicine association.

It is a European, not for profit organisation bringing together global forces in personalised medicine.

Q: What is personalised medicine?

A: Personalised medicine emphasises the systematic use of information about an individual patient to select or optimise that patient's medical care.

Recent innovations in molecular diagnostics have played an important role in improving patient outcomes in a range of human diseases. Jointly with personalised therapeutics, companion diagnostics form the field of personalised medicine, where a person’s clinical, genomic and environmental information is used to more precisely select medication and dose for each individual patient. The application of personalised medicine is likely to improve patient care as well as lower healthcare costs.

Examples of successful personalised treatments exist in the field of oncology. Measurements of erbB2 and EGFR proteins in breast, lung and colorectal cancer patients are taken before selecting proper treatments. As the personalised medicine field advances, tissue-derived molecular information will be combined with an individual's personal medical history, family history, and data from imaging, and other laboratory or genetic tests to develop more effective treatments for a wide variety of conditions.

Q: Why was EPEMED formed?

A: EPEMED aims to provide a pro-active platform for the harmonisation of personalised medicine development and implementation across Europe, focusing on the crucial role of diagnostics, to make personalised medicine a reality.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the association was founded to address issues in personalised medicine that confront the industry, regulators, payers & insurers as well as governments. The organisation comprises a dynamic and diverse group of leaders in the personalised medicine field, who have great expertise in the application and development of diagnostic tools to deliver improved patient care.

Q: What does EPEMED aim to achieve?

A: EPEMED aims to create a central point of communication for all those involved in progressing personalised medicine; determine optimal routes to deliver personalised medicine treatments to patients efficiently and promote a better understanding of the development of personalised medicine through the creation and application of advanced diagnostic tests.

As a centralised organisation promoting innovation and efficiency through personalised medicine, EPEMED plans to address the following with its partners in Europe and worldwide:

• How best to develop personalised treatments?

• Regulatory guidance on the co-development of diagnostic test and personalised drug therapy

• Validation approaches for companion diagnostic tests

• How to make personalised medicine available to patients?

• Improving market access for high-value, companion diagnostics

• Value-based pricing and reimbursement of diagnostic tests

Q: What type of members may want to join EPEMED?

A: EPEMED aims to represent a diverse group of members from academia, industry (including diagnostic, pharmaceutical and device sectors), as well as patient groups and professional service firms.

Q: Who is managing EPEMED?

A: The Board of Directors:

• Alain Huriez, M.D, Chairman & Founder

• Mara Aspinall, Vice-President, President & CEO at On-Q-ity and Ventana Medical Systems

• Patrizia Luchetta, Treasurer, Director of New Technologies at Ministry of the Economy and of Foreign Trade, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

• Iain D. Miller, Secretary, Ph.D., Global Head, Personalized Healthcare Strategy and Partnerships at GE Healthcare

• Werner Verbiest, Global head of Janssen Diagostics

• Jami Taylor, J&J Designate for Board Member, Global Policy Leader at Janssen Diagnostics

• Werner Kroll, Ph.D., Global Head Molecular Diagnostics Research and Innovation at Novartis

• Christian Bréchot, Vice-President Institut Merieux, in charge of medical and scientific affairs

• Peter X.Collins, Vice President, Head of Diagnostics at GSK

      An Executive Team:

• Emmanuelle Benzimra, General Delegate
  
  

Q: Is EPEMED organising an event soon?

A: EPEMED is regularly planning several events including release of white papers, webinars and conferences. More information is available through regular updates on  the news section of the website or you can register and receive the news by e-mail.

Q: How can I become a member of EPEMED?

A: Please visit and fill the membership page (Become a member link), or contact us  contact@epemed.org

Q: How do I contact EPEMED?

A: You can use our contact form (link) or send an e-mail to contact@epemed.org.