Beirut, 7 September 2026: The first Oncology Summit hosted by AstraZeneca in Lebanon under the theme “Leading the Future in Cancer Care” brought together leading oncology experts from Lebanon and Libya, alongside international faculty members, for two days of scientific exchange and collaboration focused on advancing cancer care and improving patient outcomes. The summit featured discussions on evolving standards of care, emerging scientific advances, and multidisciplinary approaches across lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
“Scientific meetings such as this are essential to advancing oncology practice,” said Dr. Arafat Tfayli, President of the Committee Responsible for Implementing Lebanon’s National Cancer Control Plan. “They allow healthcare professionals to exchange experiences, discuss the latest evidence, and learn from regional and international experts. By strengthening collaboration and sharing knowledge, we can continue to elevate the quality of care available to patients across our region.”
“The challenges we face in cancer care are shared across many countries, and so too are the opportunities for progress,” said Dr. Abdelmnam Elbarathi, Director of Tripoli Cancer Center, speaking on behalf of the Lybian delegation. “Bringing together experts from Libya and Lebanon creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration, learning, and professional exchange that can ultimately contribute to better care for patients. We look forward to strengthening these connections and continuing to work together to advance oncology practice throughout the region.”
The landmark event underscored AstraZeneca’s commitment to supporting the oncology community through innovation, science, and partnerships, while reinforcing Lebanon’s role as a regional platform for medical excellence and scientific dialogue.
“Lebanon has long been recognized for its medical expertise, and we are proud to contribute to its role as a hub for scientific leadership and innovation,” said Agnar Aboujaoude, Country Director, AstraZeneca Lebanon, who emphasized the power of collaboration in shaping the future of oncology care. “We are proud to bring together distinguished oncology experts from Lebanon, Libya, and the international scientific community around a shared purpose: improving the lives of patients with cancer. By fostering scientific exchange and regional collaboration, we can help accelerate the adoption of best practices, strengthen healthcare ecosystems, and ultimately bring new hope to patients and their families.”
The summit provided a platform for healthcare professionals to exchange knowledge, review emerging evidence, discuss real-world clinical experiences, and explore innovative approaches that are helping redefine cancer care worldwide. Throughout the discussions, participants examined the evolving oncology landscape and the opportunities to improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis, precision medicine, multidisciplinary care, and continued scientific advancement.
“At AstraZeneca, our ambition is to eliminate cancer as a cause of death,” said Mark Farid, Oncology Commercial Director for Near East & Maghreb at AstraZeneca, highlighting the company’s long-term commitment to transforming cancer care through scientific innovation. “We continue to invest in one of the industry’s broadest oncology portfolios and pipelines, advancing innovative science across multiple tumour types and treatment modalities. Through collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and healthcare systems, we are working to transform outcomes and bring patients closer to a future where cancer can be detected earlier, treated more effectively, and, ultimately, cured.”
About AstraZeneca:
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca’s innovative medicines are sold in more than 125 countries and used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.