The cancer vaccine market is predicted to continue an upward trajectory in the coming 10 years as cancer cases increase globally. In 2023, the vaccines market is expected to be worth US$9 billion, and by the end of 2033, the market is estimated to reach a valuation of US$24.22 billion.

According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second most common cause of death globally. Cancer incidence figures for Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean region also present a grim picture where the number of cancer cases is projected to rise by 1.8 times by 2030. Regionally, breast cancer is highly prevalent, followed by lung, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer brought on by lifestyle problems such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, exposure to environmental pollutants, and due to improved detection methods.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer also estimates 29.5 million new cases and 16.5 million cancer-related fatalities by 2040, which is driving the growth of the cancer vaccines industry, propelled by many factors, such as cutting-edge technologies like gene editing and personalised medicine.

Challenges faced by the cancer vaccine market

According to a report on Cancer Vaccines Market by Future Market Insights, cancer is a complex disease, and each type of cancer requires a different approach to treatment. Therefore, creating a vaccine that effectively treats all cancer types is an uphill battle and a significant challenge. From a purely market standpoint, a lack of awareness about the life-saving benefits of cancer vaccines stifles their adoption and use. Developing and approving new vaccines also face regulatory challenges that slow progress.

The report adds that current vaccines available in the market have shown limited success at best, and this is yet another barrier to growth. There are many reasons for this. Cancer cells can mutate and change over time, making them difficult to target with a vaccine. They continue to spread undeterred in the body as the immune system often fails to recognise them as foreign or abnormal. Furthermore, some cancer vaccines may be ineffective because they do not elicit a strong enough immune response or because the cancer cells have developed mechanisms to evade the immune system.

Additionally, some cancers may be diagnosed late, making it difficult for vaccines to treat the disease effectively. Despite these challenges, there have been some successful cancer vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, which helps prevent cervical cancer. Researchers continue to work towards developing more effective cancer vaccines.

Leading vaccine technologies

Recombinant cancer vaccines are predicted to account for a significant market share in the coming years, primarily due to their unique technology that elicits a more robust immune system response against cancer cells. They represent a promising new approach to cancer treatment that has the potential to be more effective than traditional cancer therapies. These vaccines use genetic engineering to produce specific proteins that stimulate the immune system to recognise and attack abnormal cell growth.

The therapeutic cancer vaccines segment will drive market growth compared to preventive vaccines. This is primarily due to the increased investment and research in this segment. It is also likely to lead to more effective treatments and a faster innovation pace than preventive cancer vaccines. As a result, the market for therapeutic cancer vaccines is expected to grow faster in the coming years.

“The current cancer vaccines on the market have limited success rates, and there is a need to develop more effective vaccines to meet the growing demand for cancer treatment,” the report adds.

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In recent years, blockchain technology has gained increasing popularity for its ability to provide secure and transparent data storage and transfer. In East Africa, this has led to a growing interest in exploring blockchain technology for data privacy and security in healthcare.

One of the primary benefits of blockchain technology in healthcare is its ability to provide a tamper-proof and decentralised system for storing and sharing medical records. This is particularly important in East Africa, where access to medical records is often limited, and there are concerns about data privacy and security.

Related: AI, big data, VR and blockchain expected to power patient-centric applications

Features that have made the blockchain technology a more preferred option include decentralisation, immutability, auditability, and transparency.

A close case-study of the application of the blockchain technology in Kenya is Medixus, the new medical social network, aiming to connect the world's global healthcare community. The blockchain-based platform enables healthcare professionals to communicate and collaborate securely. The platform provides a secure and transparent system for sharing patient information, enabling faster and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Related: Immunity passports can be blockchain’s breakthrough application

Miles away in Tanzania, AID:Tech, an Ireland-based organisation, and PharmAccess Foundation that offers healthcare access across Africa, the project, launched a project which was inspired by personal experiences of wastage and fraud in aid distribution. It targeted vulnerable and underprivileged pregnant women in Tanzania by using blockchain technology to collect data on each woman and storing it as medical ledgers which ensured that they were able to access pre- and postnatal services, and their babies, once delivered, never missed crucial medical attention. The system also made it possible for each woman’s medical needs to be attended to promptly based on the medical records that captured each woman’s health condition.

AID:Tech has also been involved in the digitisation of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Tanzania. The company has developed a blockchain-based system that enables NHIF members to access healthcare services using a digital identity that is linked to their NHIF account. The system also allows healthcare providers to verify the identity of patients and receive payment directly from the NHIF.

AID:Tech's system is designed to improve transparency and efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services in Tanzania. By using blockchain technology, it is able to provide a secure and transparent platform for the management of health data and payments, which can help to reduce fraud and improve the accuracy of records.

Another interesting project in Uganda is Mediconnect. This blockchain-based platform tracks the distribution of drugs and medical supplies in the country. In addition, it allows for the tracking of drugs from the manufacturer to the patient, which helps to reduce the incidence of counterfeit drugs and improve the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.

In addition to these examples, blockchain technology is also being explored in other areas of healthcare in East Africa. For example, blockchain-based platforms are being developed to provide secure and transparent systems for tracking the distribution of vaccines and other medical supplies. This has the potential to greatly improve healthcare outcomes in the region, where access to medical supplies is often limited.

One of the main challenges facing the adoption of blockchain technology in healthcare in East Africa is the lack of infrastructure and technical expertise. However, this is gradually changing, with the growing interest in blockchain technology across the region. Governments and healthcare organisations in the region are starting to take notice, with some countries launching initiatives to promote the adoption of blockchain technology in healthcare.

In conclusion, blockchain technology is being explored in East Africa for its potential to provide secure and transparent data storage and transfer in healthcare. The above-mentioned examples highlight the growing interest in the potential of blockchain technology to improve healthcare outcomes in the region. While there are still challenges to overcome, the increasing awareness in blockchain technology is a positive sign for the future of healthcare in the region.

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Immunisation has been instrumental in controlling many infectious diseases that were once prevalent across the globe, such as polio, measles, and meningitis. It has played a huge role in improving individual and community health that resulted in long-term benefits to economies around the world. Just in the last 50 years, vaccines have contributed to substantial reductions in mortality and morbidity globally, saving millions of lives.

In recent years, the pandemic has launched immunisation into the international dialogue, making it top of mind for most of the world. At the same time, the pandemic crisis also caused disruptions to health systems globally, with approximately 25 million children around the world missing out on primary or essential vaccinations in 2021, according to the World Health Organization. This is 5.9 million more children than in 2019, and the highest it has ever been since 2009. This is a great challenge, especially for newborns who have immature and naïve immune systems and are particularly vulnerable to infections, making their lack of vaccinations a serious complication to their health.

While immunisation has made a significant impact on public health and the economy, there is still much work to be done to make sure that everyone has access to them, especially children. On top of resilient supply chains and accessible points of care, new technological breakthroughs are key to ensuring vaccine accessibility and coverage. The medical community and the healthcare industry identified this unmet medical need to protect newly born infants from severe infections, which can cause mortality in the newborn in the first few weeks and months of their lives. Together, maternal immunisation was found to be the optimum channel to protect babies who are less than six months from severe illness caused by a number of infectious diseases.

Maternal immunisation as an innovative protective measure

One of the breakthroughs the medical community has recently agreed to is maternal immunisation, which allows protection for newborn babies. Maternal vaccination helps to protect both the mother and her unborn baby from certain infectious diseases. These vaccines work by stimulating the mother's immune system to produce antibodies against specific diseases, which can then be passed to the baby. Providing passive immunity can help protect babies from serious infections during the vulnerable first few months of life when they are most susceptible to diseases.

To contextualise its positive impact, women and infants in the region face a range of health challenges, including high rates of maternal and infant mortality, infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, and limited access to healthcare services. Millions of children in the region die from diseases that can be prevented through immunisation. Maternal vaccination can help to address some of these challenges by protecting mothers and babies against infectious diseases that can cause serious illness or death, reducing the risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth, and improving overall health outcomes.

It’s also important to note that the mothers of newborn babies need to wait before their infants can get all the right vaccinations, exposing them to illnesses during this period. While a maternal vaccine protects babies from serious illness or death starting from their earliest days. This makes it a very cost-effective public health intervention that reduces the economic burden of diseases. Vaccinating women and immunising their babies, can help prevent costly medical treatments or hospitalisations for both mothers and their infants.

Vaccine coverage in the Middle East and Africa

While maternal vaccines present many benefits, there is still much work to be done. Access to vaccination services can be a challenge in some parts of the region due to issues such as poverty, conflict, and inadequate health infrastructure. Addressing these barriers is important to ensure that all women have access to the vaccines they need to protect themselves and their infants.

Vaccine coverage in the Middle East and Africa is critical to its social and economic prosperity. By avoiding vaccine-preventable illnesses, people can be more actively involved in their communities and continue to care for their families. At the same time, vaccinations can significantly reduce hospitalisation rates and the burden on the healthcare system, maximising the availability of healthcare resources by allowing healthcare facilities and workers to focus on emergent care needs.

As such, governments and industry leaders in the region are working hard to ensure equitable access to immunisation. Programmes such as localised clinical trials, healthcare worker training programmes, and enhanced medical affairs programmes have a significant impact on vaccine coverage. The healthcare industry is working together to ensure that everyone in the region is protected from preventable diseases.

Hammam Haridy is the Vaccines & Antiviral Medical Lead MERA at Pfizer

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The last five years have seen an increase in digital wellness wearables that can collect data in real time and reveal the physical and chemical properties of the body to evaluate wellness.

Wearables are small electronic devices that, when placed on your body, can help measure temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen, breathing rate, sound, GPS location, elevation, physical movement, changes in direction, and the electrical activity of the heart, muscles, brain, and skin. Wearables include smart watches, smart bracelets, smart glasses, smart belts, smart shirts and pants and even smart shoes. In the recent years, their role has evolved from being trendy gadgets to an integral part of healthcare.

Related: The integration of wearables in telemedicine for remote patient monitoring

Dr. Sameer Arora, General Practitioner at Life Medical Centre, Discovery Gardens said: “Today these wearables provide physicians and patients with critical and informative data about patient health, enabling efficient decision making and real time monitoring, instead of relying on memory or word.

“These gadgets are particularly helpful when the physician wants to closely monitor chronic diseases like diabetes, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure or sleep patterns.”

Related: Can wearables help manage stress proactively?

Dr. Sameer Arora, General Practitioner, Life Medical Centre

Explaining the role of atrial fibrillation devices, Dr. Arora said that many patient testimonials showed that the EKG feature of their Apple watch prompted them to seek urgent medical help. “Not only those people received early diagnosis and medical treatment for potentially fatal events, but many such lives were saved.”

Likewise, insulin pumps are small programmable wearables that can be embedded under patients’ skin. “These devices continuously monitor and record patients’ blood sugar levels and accurately deliver insulin directly into the blood. The data can be synced over patients’ mobile phone and shared with his/her physician over the cloud,” said Dr. Arora.

He also said that ‘fall detection’ is yet another great feature of smart watches. “It can alert paramedics through centralised data integration and activate an ERT (emergency response team) to dispatch an ambulance that can save a life,” he added.

However, standardisation of data remains a major challenge with wearables, which raises questions about accuracy and reliability of wearables. “With a colossal amount of wearables available in the market, each manufacturer uses their own software, algorithms, parameters and AI integration. Syncing data across various platforms or across different healthcare organisations is yet another practical challenge. Needless to say, the data security and privacy remain as concerns to this day,” explained Dr. Arora.

Going forward, as wearables become more affordable and technology continues to evolve, the future of medical wearables is bright. “HIT (Health Information Technology) is a fast-emerging sector which aims to resolve the challenges surrounding wearables by collecting data, evaluating and analysing it, creating benchmarks against guidelines and then integrating it into EHRs (Electronic Health Records). Physicians can then leverage the information obtained from these wearables to draw accurate conclusions about a patient’s condition,” concluded Dr. Arora.

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According to international management consultancy Roland Berger, Saudi Arabia’s population of over 50 years of age is estimated to reach approximately 10 million people by 2030. A growing elderly population increases the prevalence of chronic health conditions, especially cardiovascular diseases, which also happens to be one of the leading causes of death in the country.

A significant challenge facing the healthcare system in the country is the accessibility to primary care and the lack of integration between primary care and other health sectors. Despite these shortcomings, the region is constantly working towards providing consumer-centric solutions.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in changing the healthcare landscape in the region, with the industry increasingly embracing digital technologies to enhance the patient experience and improve the quality of care. The adoption of digital tools revolutionised healthcare delivery, especially in monitoring chronic diseases among the elderly, providing accurate diagnoses and administering effective treatments.

Telemedicine platforms also gained prominence during the pandemic, with few start-ups successfully providing digital health services. For example, founded in 2016, the Cura app provides on-demand health and wellness services. The platform offers users instant consultations with doctors around the clock, e-prescriptions and six- to eight-week programmes to treat depression, stress, chronic illnesses, nutrition and other health issues. Since its launch, over 4,500 doctors have been registered on this platform and have served around 350,000 users.

Nala, another fast-growing start-up and Saudi’s first-ever AI platform in Arabic, was launched in 2019 with the aim of helping manage chronic health conditions effectively. The app offers tailored digital care programmes, virtual access to dedicated doctors, Bluetooth health devices, and prescription delivery.

All of these developments emphasise how digital health is a rapidly growing industry. According to Global Market Insights, it is set to be worth US$504.4 billion by the end of 2025.

Several mHealth applications, like Mawid and Tabaud, provide virtual healthcare solutions, thus eliminating the need to visit a hospital or clinic physically. The Ministry of Health (MoH) has also introduced the SEHA app in the region. It provides visual medical consultations and allows all citizens anywhere to have face-to-face medical consultations with their doctors across the Kingdom.

The concept of ‘express clinics’ within pharmacy stores is also rapidly picking pace in the region. Currently open across stores in Jeddah, these clinics offer instant primary care services ranging from consultation, measuring blood glucose and blood pressure, skincare analysis, weight management and vaccination.

On a global scale, British company Helicon Health is in talks with the Saudi, Qatar and UAE governments to try and bring their remote monitoring technology for early stroke detection and prevention to the region. Applying machine learning to electronic health records (EHRs), the technology helps identify patients who are unwell with an acute illness but are not receiving the right treatment.

As the digitisation of healthcare continues, adopting these solutions will improve clinical outcomes, streamline workflows, help leaders manage healthcare spending, improve performance, and deliver integrated health services effectively.

To learn more about the Saudi healthcare market, download our free eBook here for the latest insights.

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Health apps today are essential in empowering patients to manage their health through digitally enabled care pathways. The apps help broaden access to healthcare services and increase awareness of the wider population’s well-being. A successful example is the recent launch of UAE’s homegrown brand, Aster Healthcare’s ‘myAster’ app, which provides residents easy access to its hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and pharmacies.

In an interview, Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO & Specialist Anaesthetist, Aster Hospital, highlighted that the myAster app is unique because it incorporates a patient’s history and is reportedly the only platform that integrates connection with insurance providers. When patients register on the app, they will be able to get information about their insurance eligibility and approvals. Furthermore, post the consultation, they can view their prescriptions and book a follow-up appointment via the app, which can also be done through teleconsultation in the app itself.

Dr. Sherbaz Bichu

“The app offers a 360-degree solution wherein we completely map the patient journey. We have already received a great response, and many of our appointments are getting booked through the app,” he shared.

When asked if the teleconsultation feature is here to stay, Dr. Bichu said that even though telehealth passed its peak during the pandemic, there is still good momentum around it. “The pandemic was a good catalyst for telehealth, but the number of users has decreased compared to the last few years. It will take some time for people to adjust and adopt it again. However, there is great scope for it in follow-up consultations,” he added.

Aster Healthcare has also focused its efforts on sustainability and has integrated 10 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. Launching the app, said Dr. Bichu, is also in line with the Group’s sustainability initiatives.

“We will get wiped out if we are not ahead of the curve. Like any other industry, competition could come from anywhere. For instance, a FinTech company could come in and completely transform the industry. I always give the example of Konica and Kodak; when digital technologies caught up with them, they didn’t give much attention to it, and their business model was dismantled. In healthcare, we need to be cognizant that if not today, tomorrow, it will all be about digital health. So, we are getting our boots on the floor to ensure we are in the game,” he concluded.

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

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Healthcare is facing a three-fold challenge today. The costs are soaring, and the number of patients suffering from non-communicable diseases is increasing. Also, the different devices, solutions, and products in a health system usually come from different vendors, and integrating all the various systems to provide comprehensive information can be quite tricky.

In an interview, Dr. Samir Said, M.D., General Manager, Connected Care and Healthcare Informatics, Middle East, Turkiye & Africa, Philips, said that due to the above reasons, healthcare needs a structural change in the way it is delivered. “One of the things that the industry needs to look at is how we integrate all the different systems that exist in healthcare and make them talk to each other. Interoperability is key so that patient data seamlessly flows through the health system.”

Dr. Samir Said

He stressed that healthcare companies need to adopt a value-based healthcare mindset to bring down costs and enhance care. “For example, right from the product build-up, we need to ensure that these solutions will offer a better value and experience for the patient over time. It also needs to offer a better experience for the caregiver and optimisation of all the investments at a lower cost,” Dr. Said explained.

Furthermore, he shared that there is a need to better leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. People usually think about AI as a product, but it acts as almost a system within the product. “AI needs to be pervasive across the product. At Philips, every single product line, be it device or software, has AI embedded to augment the capacity of doctors,” he added.

The prevalence of AI in healthcare is also beneficial due to the caregiver shortage worldwide. Dr. Said explained that there is a significant gap in the growth of patients versus the growth of medical professionals. Therefore, there is a need to automate some redundant tasks and free time for doctors so that they can focus on taking care of patients.

When asked about the importance of sustainability in healthcare, Dr. Said stressed that sustainable operations need to be at the heart of any healthcare organisation today. He said that firms must focus on cloud-based operations to reduce electricity and energy consumption, thereby reducing costs and reinvesting the savings in something more meaningful for patients. He gave the example of MRI machines, which use up to 1.5 tonnes of helium. “At Philips, we have an MRI machine that we call “helium free”, as it uses only seven litres of helium. By using less helium, which is a finite resource that is quite expensive, we are starting our sustainability journey right before manufacturing.,” he shared.

He concluded: “All of our investment and research and development is going into health tech and informatics. We know that to make things interoperable and AI meaningful, technology needs to be pervasive. Also, while technology makes it possible, only people can make it happen!”

This article appears in Omnia Health magazine. Read the full issue online today.

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