November 26, 2025 — Leads & Copy —
Lung Cancer Canada (LCC) and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada have announced a collaboration to improve detection and accelerate innovation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnostics. The partnership aims to advance earlier diagnoses and improve outcomes for Canadians with lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada and the leading cause of cancer deaths.
In 2025, an estimated 32,900 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer, accounting for 13% of new cancer cases. Approximately 19,400 Canadians are expected to die from lung cancer, representing 22% of all cancer deaths, exceeding the combined deaths from breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
While new therapies have improved survival rates, about 70% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage, limiting treatment options. The collaboration seeks to identify gaps in diagnostic pathways and promote new approaches to early detection.
The initiative will be implemented through a two-stage innovation pathway, starting with a national Diagnostic Innovation Lab that includes clinicians, researchers, innovators, and individuals with lived experience. The lab will identify critical barriers in NSCLC diagnosis and explore early concepts for improvement. The findings will inform a national innovation challenge, inviting applicants to develop solutions addressing the identified diagnostic gaps.
The national innovation challenge will provide funding to selected proposals, supporting the development of transformative ideas and tools to improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes.
Dr. Rosalyn Juergens, President of Lung Cancer Canada, stated that early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for changing the future of lung cancer in Canada. She emphasized that this collaboration will combine expertise and commitment to accelerate solutions for earlier diagnoses and better access to care.
Dr. Rasha Eldesouky Abouelabbas, Vice President, Medical and Regulatory Affairs at Boehringer Ingelheim Canada, emphasized that collaboration is key to progress. She added that by working with Lung Cancer Canada, they can combine expertise and resources to improve early detection and outcomes.
Shem Singh, Executive Director of Lung Cancer Canada, noted that the collaboration will address the uneven access to timely diagnosis and improve equity by giving people a better chance at treatment.
This partnership is intended to drive awareness and innovation to build a future with earlier detection and more effective treatment of lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Canada is a national charity dedicated to supporting Canadians affected by lung cancer through education, patient support, and advocacy.
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company involved in both human and animal health, focusing on innovative therapies. It employs approximately 500 people across Canada.
Contact:
Shem Singh, Executive Director, Lung Cancer Canada
