Advancements in brain cancer treatment options shouldn’t be rare. Ontario proves it by becoming the first province in the country to publicly fund VORANIGO® (vorasidenib). VORANIGO® was approved by Health Canada in 2024 for the treatment of Grade 2 astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) IDH1 or IDH2 mutation. Now through Ontario’s Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) program under the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, it will be publicly reimbursed. This marks an Ontario-first, for public funding of this therapy, signaling a meaningful shift in Canada’s approach to supporting underserved patient populations like the brain cancer community. Angela Scalisi, Chair of Brain Cancer Canada, shares: “Thirteen years ago, when my brother was diagnosed with a low-grade IDH1–mutant astrocytoma, a targeted therapy like VORANIGO® simply did not exist. When this treatment began showing promise, our family and his care team did everything possible to try to access it for him. Unfortunately, it did not come in time, a harsh reality far too many families know. While it is painful to know my brother never had the opportunity, I am deeply grateful that others now will. This funding decision means families facing this diagnosis today have an option that did not exist for us. That is progress and proof advocacy works. This is also how we turn loss into legacy, by fighting for the next family, making sure they have more hope than the last.” On January 22, the FAST program announced its first six treatments approved for funding. The addition of vorasidenib to the initial list builds on that momentum and reinforces the power of policy working the way it was intended to. Ontario’s leadership proves that when research, advocacy, and policy align, change happens. The work of patient organizations, including national partners like CORD (@raredisorders) and CRDN, helped shape the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases that made this possible. As a targeted therapy, this milestone also demonstrates how foundational #research can lead to innovative, more precise treatments, and offers hope that access to tomorrow’s safe and effective therapies may come with fewer delays. It highlights how companies like @Servier Canada can successfully navigate new funding pathways, encouraging others to follow when bringing forward future innovations. Brain Cancer Canada hopes other provinces and territories will move quickly to approve funding for this treatment, and by so doing, increasing equitable access for patients across Canada. #braincancer #braintumour #gliomas #ontario #ServierCanada
