Scaling Breakthrough Access to Global Cancer Care
Summary
In 2025, The Max Foundation (Max) and its partners through the Humanitarian Partnership for Access to Critical Treatments Pact committed to expand equitable access to cancer care in more than 80 countries. By 2030, Max aims to reach 100,000 patients annually by expanding its portfolio of therapies and diagnostics, scaling its health care provider network, and addressing a broader range of cancers. Max will empower locally led care teams by strengthening local cancer care systems and wraparound services and mobilizing innovative financing to support long-term, country-led sustainability. This commitment builds on The Max Foundation’s work for more than 25 years to partner with pharmaceutical companies, governments, NGOs, and frontline providers to deliver lifesaving cancer medicines at no cost to patients in some of the world’s most resource-constrained settings.Through long-term, trusted partnerships with Ministries of Health, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, advocacy groups, and nearly 500 clinical providers, Max has developed scalable models for delivering equitable, patient-centered cancer care.
Approach
The Max Foundation (Max) , together with its partners, commits to scaling equitable access to cancer care in 80+ countries by pursuing three integrated strategies: (1) expanding availability and access to medicines, (2) strengthening local cancer care systems and wraparound services, and (3) mobilizing innovative financing models to support country-led sustainability. This work builds on Max’s established infrastructure, pharmaceutical partnerships, and deep expertise in global access – anchored by a commitment to health equity.
For more than 25 years, The Max Foundation has partnered with pharmaceutical companies, governments, NGOs, and frontline providers to deliver lifesaving cancer medicines at no cost to patients in some of the world’s most resource-constrained settings. Max currently works with nine pharmaceutical and diagnostics partners to provide 15 therapies across 14 cancer types. Through a trusted network of 495 physicians in 378 institutions, Max has supported over 100,000 patients to date, leveraging technology platforms to monitor outcomes and refine its global programs.
By 2030, Max aims to reach 100,000 patients annually by expanding its portfolio of therapies and diagnostics, scaling its healthcare provider network, and addressing a broader range of cancers. In parallel, Max will strengthen national oncology systems through investments in provider training, pathology services, and patient navigation and support. Through the redefined Solidarity Fund, Max will scale its integrated patient services and catalyze new financing mechanisms that support local procurement and delivery.
This commitment will be implemented through Max’s core capabilities – access partnerships, operational infrastructure, data systems, provider network, and commitment to health equity – while engaging national stakeholders to co-develop solutions that are locally targeted and globally supported.
Action Plan
From January 2026 to December 2030, The Max Foundation and its partners will execute a multi-year plan to expand equitable access to cancer care through three interrelated workstreams: (1) accelerating treatment and services to reach 100,000 oncology patients annually by 2030; (2) strengthening patient-centered oncology systems in partner countries; and (3) advancing a sustainable model for financing cancer medicines and wraparound support as countries transition beyond donation-based access. Together, these efforts are designed to catalyze transformational change in cancer care delivery and enable future sustainability. Over the commitment period, Max aims to engage 5–8 new partners.
2026: Max and its partners will enter its next phase, scaling access to new medicines, diagnostics, and patient services across existing and new country sites. Max will onboard new industry partners and enhance provider capabilities through targeted training. Consultations with regional and national stakeholders will inform the development of Max’s five-year Strategic Plan and initiate co-design of innovative financing models, with outputs captured in a joint stakeholder memo and action plan.
2027: Implementation will deepen through expanded service delivery and expanded real-time outcome tracking. Max will grow diagnostics partnerships, broaden its reach to train healthcare providers, and co-develop a roadmap for sustainable access platforms with country and financing partners by late 2027.
2028-2029: With expanded programs operational, Max will focus on refining its scaled quality and patient outcomes systems – ensuring wraparound service models are fit-for-purpose and supporting iterative learning via regular regional convenings. By the end of 2029, Max will finalize a financing mechanism and identify a prospective institutional host.
2030: Max will publish cumulative impact findings, share implementation lessons, and support partners in transitioning the financing model into full operation – laying the groundwork for scale and long-term sustainability.
Background
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, and the burden is shifting rapidly to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) . Today, over 70% of cancer deaths occur in LMICs (WHO, 2020) ,, where patients face stark inequities in diagnosis, treatment, and survival as compared to high-income countries.
These disparities will only grow. Due to population growth, aging, and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, LMICs are expected to account for the majority of new cancer cases by 2040 (GLOBOCAN) . Yet, only 15% of LMICs currently have comprehensive cancer services available today (WHO, 2020) ..
To be sure, the increasing number of patients requires more than access to medicines alone. Integrated models of care are essential – encompassing diagnostics, patient navigation, transportation, and psychosocial support – alongside broader health system investments such as health workforce training and infrastructure upgrades. Addressing the social determinants of health, including education and peer support, is also critical to improving outcomes.
At the same time, LMIC governments face growing pressure to secure reliable, affordable supplies of quality-assured oncology products. Unlocking access at scale will require innovative approaches to financing, procurement, and distribution, all tailored to local needs. Strengthening these systems is essential not only to meet today’s needs, but to lay the foundation for equitable, durable, and resilient cancer care infrastructure for the long-term.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
The Max Foundation seeks additional parrtners with complementary expertise to co-develop and scale equitable access to cancer care. Max welcomes collaboration with pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies to expand oncology product access, and with technical partners in health systems strengthening, service delivery, and provider training.
To advance sustainable financing, Max is seeking engagement from public sector leaders (e.g. Ministries of Health, Ministries of Finance) , philanthropic funders, multilateral partners, development finance institutions, and market design experts to co-create a viable model for country-led cancer medicine procurement.
Max and its partners also invite dialogue and shared learning with CGI members working on innovative financing, health equity, and noncommunicable disease delivery. Max is especially interested in partners who bring experience in sustainable access models, fund design, and data-driven implementation, and who are committed to co-developing scalable, patient-centered models for equitable access across LMICs.,The Max Foundation is the only nonprofit organization worldwide with the mandate to provide free access to innovative cancer medicines for patients who would otherwise be unable to afford or access them. With over 25 years of experience across 80+ countries, Max brings deep expertise in pharmaceutical access, diagnostics, patient support services, and health systems strengthening. Through long-term, trusted partnerships with Ministries of Health, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, advocacy groups, and nearly 500 clinical providers, Max has developed scalable models for delivering equitable, patient-centered cancer care.
As part of this commitment, Max will share learnings, implementation experience, and real-world insights with others advancing cancer care. Max offers a collaborative platform for co-designing solutions – whether to expand access to medicines, strengthen oncology systems, or shape sustainable financing models – and welcomes opportunities to contribute to broader efforts that improve cancer outcomes and health equity.