Following a court ruling challenging the South African patent for enzalutamide (held by the Regents of the University of California and licensed to Astellas Pharma), the original South African patent was declared invalid. This ruling paved the way for Eurolab to continue supplying enzalutamide to the local market as it has been doing since its launch in April 2024. Given the financial strain often associated with cancer treatment, we remain committed to providing high-quality, affordable oncology solutions to support better patient outcomes. This case represents a major victory for South African cancer patients.

About Eurolab (Pty) Ltd:

In 2011, the establishment of Eurolab marked a significant step towards diminishing the financial burdens associated with cancer care in South Africa. Our primary mission revolves around enhancing the accessibility and affordability of cancer care, catering to the needs of patients battling this disease. Through its progression, Eurolab has been able to expand and introduce innovation into South Africa’s cancer care environment offering diverse options for cancer treatment and recovery. Eurolab’s journey is far from over. We persistently delve into novel strategies aimed at introducing innovative products and initiatives into the South African landscape. Our unwavering commitment to maintaining a balance between cost-effectiveness and quality is what distinguishes us, ultimately making cancer treatment a more attainable reality for a wider segment of the South African population.

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The post World Cancer Day first appeared on Eurolab.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to remind South Africans of the importance of regular breast examinations. A new lump in a breast could be a symptom of breast cancer and warrants a visit to your healthcare professional. Different people experience different symptoms before being diagnosed with breast cancer. Be on the lookout for any of the changes below:

• A new lump in the breast or armpit area
• Thickening or breast swelling
• Pain or pulling in the nipple area
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast
• Unusual discharge from the nipple
• Change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Dimpling of the skin

Eurolab continues to make vital breast cancer treatments accessible and affordable to all South Africans in need.  We dressed in pink today to show our support for all of those who have been affected by breast cancer.

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Every year in June, Eurolab joins the world in celebrating Cancer Survivors Month. This is one of the most important months in the cancer awareness calendar. It speaks to the importance of screening and early detection, the vital role that oncologists and their healthcare teams play in treating cancer patients, and the courage that cancer patients show in facing their cancer and enduring their treatment.

To observe this important health awareness month, first and foremost, Eurolab honours each and every cancer patient that has survived their cancer. Secondly, it is an opportunity to reflect on the ground-breaking work of scientists and researchers who find new therapies and better treatments for cancer all the time. Last but not least, without clinicians and their medical staff, especially nurses, who work tirelessly to improve the outcomes of cancer patients, there would be no cause for celebration.

Cancer survivors

A cancer diagnosis is challenging for every patient, their friends and family. Cancer Survivors Month is ultimately about those who have survived their cancer and tackled their illness with strength, courage and perseverance.

Cancer survivors who have walked the cancer journey often become spokespeople and advocates for other cancer patients. They often support those who are newly diagnosed, frightened and left with many questions about their future. Eurolab salutes these advocates who support cancer patients and play a pivotal role in raising awareness about cancer and educating the public about the importance of screening and early detection.

Financial implications of cancer treatment

It is a common misconception that after a patient has beaten cancer, their world returns to normal. In reality, the situation is different. A cancer diagnosis takes its toll, not only physically and emotionally, but also financially. Treatments for cancer are notoriously costly and result in heavy financial burdens for patients and their families. Researchers have referred to this as ‘financial toxicity’.

Driving down the cost of cancer treatment

Eurolab was founded over ten years ago to drive down the cost of cancer treatment. In 2011, we recognised that the costs involved with treating cancer can be crippling and set about finding a solution to ease the financial burden that cancer places on patients and their families. This is still the driving force of our business today.

Eurolab remains steadfast in its commitment to keeping the costs of treatment as low as possible by offering high quality generic medicine options to oncologists and their patients.

We strive to ensure that our products are competitively priced to increase access to treatment, improve outcomes and celebrate cancer survivors.

In the month of June, Eurolab salutes all cancer survivors and the people in their support networks who have eased their journey, from diagnosis through treatment.

The devastation of receiving a diagnosis of a dreaded disease cannot be downplayed. Neither should it be. When a cancer patient responds to treatment, and returns to a full productive life, it is a reason to celebrate.

Eurolab encourages all cancer survivors to use the month of June to celebrate their recovery. If you are a survivor, share your story and be proud of what you went through, and where you are today.

If you are a friend or a loved one of a cancer survivor, Eurolab thanks you for the role you played in offering your friend or partner the support they needed.

To all cancer survivors: May you not only continue to survive, but to thrive!

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The CEO of one of South Africa’s leading oncology companies, Eurolab, has been recognised internationally for her clear vision on what the future of cancer treatment in South Africa (SA) should look like. Lynne du Toit was selected out of seven CEOs of pharmaceutical companies from across the globe who had been shortlisted for the CPhI Excellence in Pharma: CEO of the Year Award. Judges on the Congress of Pharmaceutical Ingredients (CPhI) Worldwide award panel also selected her for her bold, forward-looking leadership, dynamism and contribution to the wider industry.

Speaking at the awards ceremony in Milan, Italy, last week, du Toit, said, “I dedicate this award to my hard-working team at Eurolab in South Africa; to scientists and developers who advance cancer treatment to improve outcomes for cancer patients; to cancer patients in SA and across the world; to oncologists and healthcare workers who care for these patients; and also to all women CEOs who have had to balance family and work commitments to get ahead.”

Du Toit’s career began in nursing and midwifery. She entered the corporate world in the 1980s as a ‘rep’. “Back then, pharma reps were mostly women and the management teams primarily men. Women have had to apply themselves smartly and carefully juggle family and professional demands to hold their own and show their grit alongside their male executives,” she says.

Together with Gabe Simaan, Chairman of the Eurolab group, Lynne has built Eurolab from the ground up into a leading oncology company that today, through its five divisions, offers an integrated, whole-of cancer-solution to oncologists and their patients. Lowering the costs of cancer medicine, making treatment more accessible and more affordable, and bringing solutions previously only available abroad into SA have underpinned her vision for the company. It is a vision that du Toit has realised and continues to pursue.

Eurolab was founded in 2011 as a generic oncology medicine company to make cancer treatment more affordable for South Africans. Today it has a medicine portfolio of over 30 products, and with the introduction of each new drug over the past decade, more patients have received cancer treatment at a more affordable price.

Du Toit says, “By 2018, Eurolab had driven the price patients were paying for chemotherapy down by over 50%, while the rest of the market experienced an average increase of over 30%. The financial burden of cancer remains one of the biggest challenges for families who are experiencing this disease, and Eurolab is proud that today, patients are required to pay less than half of what they had to pay for oncology medicine in 2010.”

Du Toit says that the Eurolab journey is far from over. “We are working tirelessly on widening access to innovative treatments, solutions and collaborations to strengthen the oncology response in SA in the face of the growing incidence of cancer.”

The CPhI Pharma Awards have been committed to recognising excellence in pharma since 2003.

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The staff and management of the South African oncology company, Eurolab, made sure that little children living in the Zama Zama informal settlement in Pretoria West had a present to open on Christmas day last year. The Eurolab team visited the children here in December to hand over boxes of presents and tasty treats, with a special instruction to only open their presents on Christmas Day. The donation was made possible through a partnership with the New Schools of Hopewhich runs a creche and school in the settlement, located in Claremont, Pretoria West.

Eurolab CEO, Lynne Du Toit, says, “This was the second year that Eurolab donated goodies and gifts to the children living in Zama Zama. Every staff member at Eurolab contributed to the gift packs which were made up of stationery, sweets, toys, clothes and toiletries.

“It was an honour for us to once again support New Schools of Hope because they do such important work in educating and mentoring Zama Zama’s children and ensuring they eat a nutritious diet. Children need to grow up in a nurturing and secure environment and they need to eat properly. New Schools of Hope is providing this to them.”

Alida Fourie, founder of New Schools of Hope, says, “We believe that all children deserve an education. Our focus is to get children ready for school. We do this by providing nutrition, emotional wellness, social skills and an intellectually stimulating environment. This is coupled with strong spiritual and moral guidance.

“We so appreciate Eurolab’s support because it brought joy to children over the festive period while allowing us to engender the real meaning of Christmas and a spirit of giving in these precious little children.”

New Schools of Hope is a non-profit organization. Alida is supported by a team of hard working and dedicated people who share her belief in ‘Healing Poverty through Education’. New Schools of Hope also believes in empowering community members by offering up-skilling and educational opportunities.

Lynne adds that, “Eurolab is an oncology companycommitted to improving access to cancer care and making treatment more affordable. Yet we are also aware of the difficulties that many of our people face beyond healthcare access. This is whyour corporate social responsibility programmes includes education, skills development and nutrition. It is a privilege to support New Schools of Hope and we look forward to meeting up with more childrenat the end of 2022.”

Alida says, “We began our work in Zama Zamain 2013 with a stimulation program for children once a week. The University of Pretoria’s Human NutritionDepartment was brought in to conduct an assessment ofthe nutritional status of children here. We learned that out of a total of one hundred children, 40 were in a severe acute state of malnutrition and needed immediate hospitalization while the other 60 were severely malnourished. Sowe rolled up our sleeves and got to work.”

Zama is a Zulu word which means ‘try your luck’. Through New Schools of Hope’s work, Zama Zama’s little ones will soon be school-ready and have a chance to complete school and try their luck at success in life through further study or employment.

“Despite no running water or electricity, the Zama Zama community works hard to keep their streets and homes clean and neat, with some members now running small businesses as well,” concludes Alida.

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Three companies joined forces to make this mass Covid-19 vaccine drive possible in a remote part of South Africa. Eurolab joined forces with Sabi Sand and Dis-Chem Pharmacies to plan and roll out the programme. Nothing but passion, hard work and collaboration made this vaccination drive possible. Well over 2 000 vaccines were administered, an effort which saw the Mpumalanga region’s overall vaccine numbers increase substantially.

Dis-Chem provided the vaccine infrastructure, set up the vaccination site and administered the vaccines. Eurolab supported the initiative, and through its subsidiary Oncolab, is also establishing a Covid-19 testing station with same-day results for the Sabi Sand staff and guests. The closest testing facility is over two hours’ drive away.

Oscar Mthimkhulu, CEO of the Sabi Sand, said, “This vaccine drive aims to achieve reserve and community-wide immunity, attract visitors back to one of South Africa’s major eco-tourism destinations and retain jobs. Tourism in South Africa has been hard-hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, and Mpumalanga has not been spared.”

Lynne Du Toit, Eurolab CEO, said, “The more jabs we can get into arms, the quicker South Africa can return to a sense of normality across all sectors, and especially health, eco-tourism and conservation. The Covid-19 testing station set up by our specialised testing facility, Oncolab, will make it easy and quick for guests and staff to take a test and get their results on the same day.”

Speaking from the Dixie village vaccination site, Ivan Saltzman, Dis-Chem Pharmacies CEO, said, “We are pleased that we were able to lend our expertise in setting up this mass vaccine site at the Sabi Sand and hope that this effort will boost tourism in the area. It also demonstrates our commitment to expanding vaccine access. Dis-Chem Pharmacies is directly involved in the national vaccine rollout and has established numerous vaccine sites across the country. We can set up vaccine sites where they are needed.”

Mthimkhulu concluded by saying, “We are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our guests and employees. The United States-approved Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being administered, which is an important consideration especially for tourists from the United States.”

Covid-19 remains a threat to people who are unvaccinated. Some people who get COVID-19 can become severely ill, which could result in hospitalization, and some people have ongoing health problems several weeks or even longer after getting infected.

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Food parcels are supplied on an annual basis to families most in need. As well as foods like soup, mielie meal, rice, potatoes and butternuts, the parcels also include essential items like washing power and soap.

Every year, bursaries are awarded to youngsters, allowing them to learn, develop skills and find employment. Many young people have used their bursaries to get their driver’s license and gain certificates in professions such as game tracking and catering.

Sibusiso Sibuyi is one of our graduates that we are especially proud of. He is now one of the top chefs at a seven-star lodge in the nearby Sabi Sand reserve.

Sibusiso says, “I am honoured to be one of the recipients of the Eurolab bursary programme. Thanks to Eurolab’s generous support, I am the first person in my family to attend college.

“Growing up in a less privileged community presented financial and academic challenges. Through the bursary and the learning I received, I have realised the value of a college education.

“I want to take this moment to appreciate and thank Eurolab for its support. Eurolab brought light to my darkest situation.

“Today I am qualified chef, and I will obtain my driver’s license soon. There are tons of blessings. Thank you very much for the support and love.”

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Eurolab Chairman, Gabe Simaan, brought the water scarcity issue in the Dixie village to the attention of Ivan Saltzman, Dis-Chem Pharmacies CEO in 2019. Eurolab has supported the Dixie village for several years, providing food parcels to those families most in need and supporting young people with their careers by providing bursaries.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies and the Dis-Chem Foundation financed the project and Innovation Africa was brought in as the technical partner to build the system. The Dis-Chem Foundation was established 15 years ago and aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in South Africa. Innovation Africa is a specialist NGO with a solid track record in building sustainable water and energy systems in rural communities throughout Africa. The water system relies on solar energy and gravity to pump water from boreholes into 15 taps installed across the village.

Construction took place with the full buy-in of the community and in close consultation with the Mnisi tribal authority. A water committee was established, and ten Dixie community members were employed on the project. They have acquired skills that they can now offer to future construction or water projects.

The water system in the Dixie village is sustainable – the community will continue to have access to clean running water for years to come. There are no running costs. Villagers were involved in building the water system and are involved in its ongoing maintenance.

According to the South African Constitution every citizen is entitled to a certain amount of water regardless of his ability to pay for it. Sadly, many communities still do not have access to safe water. Together with the Dis-Chem Foundation and Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Eurolab’s hope is that this water project can be replicated in other rural communities with no access to safe water.

*In the photo above: The Eurolab and Innovation Africa team with Patrick Gumede who coordinates Eurolab’s CSI contributions with village leaders

A Dixie community member celebrates running water in her village

One of the 15 taps installed in the Dixie village

Dixie community members were trained by Innovation Africa to build and maintain the water system. Ten community members were employed to build the sustainable water system.

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Happime was set up by two incredible women determined to address the indignity that the lack of menstrual hygiene products inflicts on girls at school. Dr Keorapetse Tabane and Dr Fikile Tsela, both medical specialists in private practice, set up the Happime Foundation to combat ‘period poverty’. Dr Tabane says, “When girls have access to quality sanitary towels they are able to attend school throughout every month without interruptions and without shame. This allows them to learn consistently, get the marks they need and pursue their studies, careers and dreams.”

Eurolab joins community of HappiGivers

To provide quality pads to girls at school in disadvantaged communities, the Happime Foundation raises funds through a community of HappiGivers comprising individuals and corporates. Eurolab is now part of this community and recently handed over a year’s supply of sanitary pads to every female student at the Thembisa West Secondary School in Thembisa, situated in Johannesburg’s East Rand area.

Eurolab Group CEO, Lynne Du Toit, says, “There is no dignity for young women if they don’t have basic necessities such as sanitary pads. It’s an honour for us to support the girls at this school and I hope that Eurolab’s donation will promote a sense of pride and confidence in their womanhood in each and every girl. All too often, there is silence and stigma around periods. We aim to increase attendance and empower these girls to go on and excel in their learning and results.

“My wish is that other corporates will follow suit to support this important empowerment initiative.”

Young girls need quality sanitary towels to stay in school

According to the Happime Foundation, one in every ten girls on the African continent misses school because of the lack of access to sanitary towels. This sees girls drop out of school, their academic performance plummet, their career choices affected and their confidence undermined as they make the important journey into womanhood.

Dr Fikile Tsela is a Specialist Physician and Nephrologist in private practice in Pretoria, where she provides specialist nephrology services in a number of private dialysis facilities, her base being at Unitas Hospital. Dr Keo Tabane is a Specialist Physician, Medical Oncologist and Director of Sandton Oncology in Johannesburg, a privately-run Oncology Unit, where she has practiced since 2008.

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