7 December 2017 - - US-based biopharmaceutical company Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) has launched Celgene Cancer Care Links, a new grant programme designed to support cancer healthcare capacity building in resource-constrained countries around the world, the company said.

As part of this programme, Celgene will collaborate with medical centres focused on enhancing patient care and building sustainable cancer care systems in resource-constrained countries.

Funding will be provided to approved programmes in 2018.

"Celgene's purpose is to change the course of human health through bold pursuits in science, and promise to always put patients first," said Mark J. Alles, chief executive officer at Celgene. "As an extension of that purpose, our hope is that Celgene Cancer Care Links will support improved cancer care in some of the world's underserved areas."

Applications will be accepted for programs to support medical centers in resource-constrained countries around the world that provide essential cancer care services, including oncology training, cancer prevention and detection, nursing programmes, general medical support, pharmacy programmes, and awareness and education initiatives.

Celgene Cancer Care Links is the latest addition to Celgene's global health and corporate responsibility initiatives.

The programme also supports Celgene's commitment to Access Accelerated, a partnership of over 20 biopharmaceutical companies developing innovative and sustainable solutions to improve access to non-communicable disease treatment and care in low and middle-income countries.

Celgene Cancer Care Links is a grant programme to support health care capacity initiatives that enhance patient cancer care in resource-constrained countries. Celgene Cancer Care Links is a demonstration of Celgene's commitment to improving the lives of patients worldwide.

Access Accelerated is a partnership of over 20 biopharmaceutical companies working together to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to improve access to non-communicable disease treatment and care in low and middle-income countries.

In addition to each company committing to do more with their individual programs, Access Accelerated also includes partnerships with the World Bank and the Union of International Cancer Control.

Access Accelerated is part of the private sector's commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by 2030.

Celgene Corp., headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialisation of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation.