NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Novocure, a commercial stage oncology company, today kicks off Hack GBM: Finding Support Solutions for Glioblastoma Community Challenges, the first-ever hackathon to specifically address the needs of the glioblastoma (GBM) community. The hackathon will unite advocates and tech experts to develop innovative solutions for patients and caregivers living with GBM, the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. The event is part of a series of Novocure activities during Brain Tumor Awareness Month aimed at addressing challenges faced by the GBM community.
“This is an important opportunity to help fulfill unmet needs for patients and caregivers looking for support and immediate access to treatments. The goal of our day-to-day work is to enhance lives through empowering patients by closing the gap from initial diagnosis to immediate and expanded access to advanced treatments, clinical trials and critical care,” said Dellann Elliott Mydland, Founder and President, the EndBrainCancer Initiative and the Chris Elliott Fund, and a member of the event’s judging panel. “Technology-based resources have the potential to help ease the burdens of GBM patients and their caregivers, and we are excited to see hackers’ creativity and thoughtfulness at work.”
The two-day Hack GBM event, being held in Chicago and beginning at 6 p.m. CT this evening, invites participants to develop concepts for novel solutions for the GBM community. Teams will compete for $17,500 in cash prizes, and Novocure will help bring to life the winning ideas. For more information, or to sign up to participate, visit http://bit.ly/HackGBM. Updates from the event will also be shared on social media with the hashtag #HackGBM.
“Approximately 10,000 new patients in the United States are diagnosed with GBM every year, and the brain tumor treatment journey can be daunting,” said Gwen Darien, Executive Vice President of Programs and Services, Cancer Support Community, and a member of the event’s judging panel. “Given the significant need for innovative support tools, we appreciate Novocure’s efforts through Hack GBM to create tools to help patients and their loved ones as they fight this disease.”
Earlier this month, Novocure conducted a survey to assess current needs of patient, caregivers and others in the GBM community. The survey found that approximately three-quarters of the 114 respondents would like more or better quality resources or apps to help navigate their GBM journeys. More than half said they would like assistance dealing with cognitive impairments caused by GBM and more opportunities to interact with people who understand what they are going through. Additional survey results will be shared at the event to help inform project ideas.
“Novocure is a company with innovation at its core, and we’re excited to mark the conclusion of Brain Tumor Awareness Month with an event designed to source out-of-the-box solutions for pressing challenges,” said Peter Melnyk, Chief Commercial Officer of Novocure. “It is our hope that the creative ideas sparked by Hack GBM will help provide meaningful day-to-day support for those navigating life with GBM.”
About Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of primary brain cancer with approximately 10,000 patients diagnosed each year in the US. Overall survival with standard of care temozolomide chemotherapy alone is approximately 15 months.
About Novocure
Novocure is a private Jersey Isle oncology company pioneering a novel therapy for solid tumors called TTFields. Novocure’s US operations are based in Portsmouth, NH and New York, NY. Additionally, the company has offices in Switzerland and Japan and a research center in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/novocure.