Categories: Health & Science

Ireland Advances Phase 2 of National Precision Oncology Program to Personalize Cancer Care

Ireland Advances Phase 2 of National Precision Oncology Program to Personalize Cancer Care

Ireland launches Phase 2 of its national precision oncology program

On 8 October, Ireland marked a significant milestone in its fight against cancer as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD unveiled Phase 2 of Precision Oncology Ireland (POI). This country-wide effort stands as the largest and most ambitious cancer research program to date, aiming to personalize cancer care through cutting-edge research, data-driven insights, and integrated clinical translation.

What is Precision Oncology Ireland?

Precision Oncology Ireland is a cross-sector research consortium that unites academia, industry, charities, and patient groups with a shared mandate: to tailor diagnostics and treatments to individual patients. The program leverages advanced technologies, data science, and collaborative governance to deliver targeted therapies at the right time. POI was conceived as a strategic partnership model supported by Research Ireland and coordinated by Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) at University College Dublin (UCD), under the leadership of Professor Walter Kolch.

Phase 2: Expanded ambition and investment

Phase 2 represents a substantial increase in funding, scale, and ambition. Building on the achievements of Phase 1, POI-2 aims to strengthen clinical collaborations and embed research within standard cancer care. This shift is designed to ensure patients across Ireland—and potentially beyond—benefit from improved outcomes, healthcare innovation, and more sustainable cancer services. The program’s growth reflects a broader national strategy to accelerate research translation from lab to clinic.

Leadership perspectives

Minister Lawless highlighted the importance of cross‑sector collaboration. “Breakthroughs in cancer research are most likely when clinicians, scientists, industry leaders, patients, charities and other stakeholders come together with a shared purpose. The first phase of Precision Oncology Ireland stands as proof that strong, sustained collaboration can unlock innovation and accelerate transformative solutions,” he said. He also congratulated the research teams for their progress and voiced optimism for Phase 2’s potential.

Professor Walter Kolch, a key architect of POI and the SBI leader, underscored the program’s translational focus. “Research is the engine behind new medicines. POI-2 is all about linking top-notch cancer research to clinical translation. This includes the development of advanced computer simulations of the disease, so that we can design the best diagnostic and treatment approaches for each individual patient,” he noted.

Professor Donal Brennan, UCD Professor of Gyne-Oncology and Deputy-Director of POI, emphasized the integrated approach: “The first phase delivered significant achievements. We now aim to strengthen collaboration with clinical partners and move towards embedding research within standard cancer care, so that patients and society across Ireland—and beyond—can benefit from improved outcomes, enhanced healthcare innovation, and more sustainable delivery of cancer services.”

Why Phase 2 matters for patients and the health system

Phase 2’s expansion is designed to accelerate the development of personalised diagnostics and treatments, informed by real-world data and sophisticated computational models. By simulating disease trajectories and testing treatment scenarios in silico, POI seeks to identify the most effective strategies for individual patients and for specific cancer subtypes. The program also prioritizes capacity building—training the next generation of researchers and supporting biotech start-ups—to ensure Ireland sustains a vibrant, innovation-led ecosystem.

Collaborative infrastructure and impact

From its inception, POI established a cross-sector collaborative model that brings together academia, industry, charities, and patients. This inclusive structure is designed to be adaptable and scalable, capable of informing cancer biology and guiding the development of new therapies. As Phase 2 unfolds, stakeholders expect deeper integration with clinical care pathways, enhanced research infrastructure, and ongoing benefits for patients nationwide.

Looking ahead

Canada, Ireland, and other nations are increasingly recognizing that precision oncology requires sustained collaboration, data sharing, and investment in translational science. POI-2 aims to catalyze this process in Ireland, with the potential to serve as a blueprint for other health systems seeking to align research with real-world clinical impact. Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, reaffirmed the commitment to advancing this shared mission and to delivering tangible improvements in cancer care.

As POI-2 embarks on this next phase, the overarching message from its leaders is clear: by joining researchers, clinicians, industry partners, patients, and policymakers, Ireland can accelerate breakthroughs that translate into better outcomes for people living with cancer today and into sustainable improvements for future generations.