Further: accelerating access to precision cancer treatment

January 4, 2025

Guided by a vision of a world where healthcare is not defined by geography, Further creates specialized, innovative solutions, with the latest treatments and technologies to give more people with serious illnesses access to a better chance of a successful medical outcome.

From expert second medical opinions and oncology services to out-of-country treatment for serious illnesses, Further represents a new category of healthcare, focused on accelerating access to the right medical expertise at the right time.

Further provides access to expertise, wherever it may be, through a series of service and insurance solutions:

• Service solutions:
  • Access to best-in-class international medical expertise for a second medical opinion for all major diagnosed conditions in the areas of cardiology, neurology, traumatology, dermatology, etc.
  • For oncology, genetic testing performed in world-leading laboratories using the latest Next Generation Sequencing techniques to understand the genetic profile of each individual’s cancer and provide a personalized treatment plan.
• Insurance solutions:
  • Different levels of insurance benefits are available, from ‘Gap’ cover, which provides overseas treatment when a cancer medication is not approved in an individual’s home country, to full overseas treatment expenses for any oncology, heart surgery, neurosurgery or transplant procedure.
  • Access to the latest novel treatments in worldwide Centers of Excellence
  • End-to-end travel and accommodation

New developments in cancer treatments are advancing at a rapid pace, but patient access to them is often limited, complex, and costly.

Further is on a mission to change this with its new product for cancer: Precision CancerCare.

Rather than using a generalized ‘one size fits all approach’ to treating cancer, precision medicine revolutionizes cancer care by enabling customized treatments to be delivered based on an analysis of the patient’s specific type of cancer.

Using advanced molecular testing, such as Next Generation Sequencing, to screen the individual DNA and RNA of each tumor, precision medicine can identify the mutations and changes on a molecular level that have resulted in the cancer.

This enables physicians to determine the best approach for treating the individual’s unique type of cancer. A targeted treatment plan can be developed that focuses on eliminating the malignant cells and sparing the healthy ones, resulting in fewer side effects and a better quality of life for the patient both during and after treatment.

Precision CancerCare^TM

• Optimized cancer treatments
  Genetic data identifies the optimal approach for each unique tumor.

• Better medical outcomes
  Enhanced overall survival and progression-free survival vs. standard treatment.

• Improved quality of life
  Targeted therapies reduce side effects and avoid unnecessary treatments.

• 84% of advanced cancer tumors have actionable genetic alterations as determined by genetic sequencing.¹
• 1/4 of patients experience adverse side effects from standard cancer therapies.²
• 10-20% of hospitalizations for cancer patients stem from preventable treatment complications.³

A high-value, high-impact full solution for organizations and their employees that provides a personalized approach to cancer care.

Here’s how it works:

• Further works with the world’s most advanced laboratories and precision medicine experts for molecular profiling of cancer; results of the testing are provided in an Expert Clinical Report.
• Case Navigators work with the patient throughout the treatment journey, from diagnosis to personalized treatment to ensure timely access to the most effective cancer treatments.
  • The Case Navigator arranges for a tissue sample to be sent to a specialized lab for genetic sequencing.
  • The results are interpreted by an expert medical team made up of leading international oncologists, pathologists, and genetic experts who will recommend the most appropriate treatments based on the patient’s own genetic profile.
  • Their report will also indicate if the patient is resistant to any treatments. The patient’s oncologist is invited to a peer-to-peer consultation with the expert medical team to facilitate delivery of the treatment plan.
  • The Case Navigator will explain the different treatment options to the patient. If there is no approved treatment available, the patient will be matched (if eligible) to relevant clinical trials. The Case Navigator will provide support with enrollment and travel logistics for the patient to participate in the trial.
• If the genetic testing identifies a hereditary cancer gene that can be passed on through a family, Further will test eligible family members for the presence of the mutation so that appropriate genetic counseling can be provided.
• If the policy includes insurance cover and if the best treatment is not available locally, or the patient wishes to be treated overseas, Further will arrange for the patient to have their treatment in world-leading cancer facilities.

This innovative approach underscores Further's commitment to transforming cancer care and ensuring that patients receive the most effective and personalized treatments available.

By leveraging advanced molecular profiling and collaborating with world-renowned medical experts, Further strives to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and to significantly improve their chances of positive outcomes.

As cancer is increasingly becoming a priority for employers due to its rising prevalence and significant impact on healthcare costs, precision medicine is emerging as a true game-changer for organizations, the health of their people, and their bottom line.

At the same time, organizations are looking at their benefits plans through a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) lens to ensure health inclusivity and equity, offering benefits that are accessible and valuable to employees across different population groups and geographies. More employers are looking to level the playing field and offer equitable benefits. Giving employees access to precision medicine removes geographical and eligibility barriers by providing access to a service that may otherwise be unavailable to them.

In October 2024, Further Group joined the United Nations Global Compact, committing to its Ten Principles on human rights, labor, the environment, and anti-corruption, as well as its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN Global Compact, launched in 2000, strives to advance United Nations values and responsible business practices globally.

Further’s products aim to provide equal access to cutting-edge care for serious medical conditions, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goal of promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3).

For more information, visit unglobalcompact.org.