Oncology
We’re working to invent a world where cancer isn’t just treated, but possibly cured — or even where some types might be prevented from happening in the first place.
Our focus on cancer research
We work with urgency to pursue breakthrough science to not only help prolong lives, but help protect them, too. Because people with cancer deserve more — more ways to treat their cancer, more quality in their lives and more time.
Globally we’re committed to advancing cancer research with one of the largest development programs in the industry across more than 30 tumor types. Learn more about key areas of research:
Bladder cancer
The most common form of bladder cancer is urothelial cancer, accounting for about 80-90% of cases. Urothelial cancer begins in the urothelial cells, which line the urethra, bladder, ureters, renal pelvis and some other organs.
Blood cancer
Blood (haematologic) cancers start in the bone marrow where blood cells develop. The most common types of blood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the 2nd most common type of cancer worldwide. This disease has many subtypes, including aggressive subtypes such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which accounts for about 15% of all breast cancers.
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers
The most common GI cancers are oesophageal, gastric (stomach), colorectal, pancreatic and liver. These cancers typically do not cause symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage.
Gynaecological cancers
Gynaecological cancers encompass several types of cancer that affect the female reproductive system, including ovarian, cervical, uterine (endometrial), vaginal and vulvar cancer.
Head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancers refer to tumours that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth.
Lung cancer
Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths.
Melanoma
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer.
Prostate cancer
Globally, prostate cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in people assigned male at birth.
Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer.
We are working on cancer research to find more ways to treat cancer to help give patients more quality in their lives and more time.
Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. When that diagnosis happens, what matters most isn’t what the next breakthrough is – but when it will get here.
Our commitment is unwavering
Our relentless focus on achieving the next breakthrough in cancer care is inspired by the lives we aim to prolong and protect. We’re following the science to discover innovations that can help patients no matter what stage of cancer they have, or so they may never be diagnosed with some types at all.
References:
Cancer Council Australia. 2024. Understanding Bladder Cancer. A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-bladder-cancer-booklet. Accessed on 23/04/2025.
Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Blood Cancer 2022. Available at: https://www.cancercenter.com/blood-cancers. Accessed 8/22/25.
WHO The Global Cancer Observatory. World Fact Sheet 2022. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/populations/900-world-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed on: 8/22/25.
American Cancer Society. Types of Breast Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer.html. Accessed on: 27/09/24.
Centre for Disease Control. Gynecologic Cancers Basics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/gynecologic-cancer/about/index.html. Accessed on: 25/8/25.
American Association for Cancer Research. Head & Neck Cancers. Available at: https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/cancer/head-and-neck-cancers. Accessed 17.04.25.
Yale Medicine. Gastrointestinal cancers. Available at: https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/gastrointestinal-cancers. Accessed on: 25/8/25.
Cancer Council Australia. 2025. Understanding Melanoma. A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-melanoma-cancer-booklet. Accessed on 22/03/2025.
Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora. Cancer: Historical Summary 1948-2022. Available at: https://tewhatuora.shinyapps.io/cancer-web-tool/. Accessed on 16.10.25.
Cancer Council Australia. 2024. Understanding Kidney Cancer. A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. Available at: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-bladder-cancer-booklet Accessed on 22/4/25.
MSD Data on File.
TAPS NP23890 NZ-NON-00204 v5.0 Last Updated February 2026