Ireland has taken another major step forward in the global fight against cancer, with the launch of Phase 2 of Precision Oncology Ireland (POI) — the country’s largest and most ambitious cancer research initiative to date.
Announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, the new phase represents a €28m investment in advancing personalised cancer diagnostics and treatments.
Commenting on the initiative, Lawless said: “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 POI stands as proof that strong, sustained collaboration can unlock innovation and accelerate transformative solutions.
“I congratulate the team on the advances made to date and wish them every success as they embark on this next phase of funded research.”
A new era in personalised cancer care
Coordinated by the Systems Biology Ireland centre at University College Dublin (UCD) and led by Professor Walter Kolch, POI is transforming how cancer is studied and treated in Ireland.
The programme’s core mission is to ensure that every patient receives the most effective treatment based on their unique genetic and molecular profile – a cornerstone principle of precision medicine.
Funded jointly by Research Ireland, industry partners, and the not-for-profit sector, POI stands as a pioneering example of collaboration between academia, healthcare, and the private sector.
This co-funding model allows cutting-edge research to translate faster into tangible patient benefits.
Kolch stated: “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.”
Building on a groundbreaking foundation
The first phase of POI set the standard for multidisciplinary cancer research collaboration in Ireland.
It united scientists, clinicians, charities, and patient groups in a single, cohesive effort to understand cancer at the molecular level.
The initiative led to major advances in cancer biology, new treatment strategies, and the creation of vital research infrastructure across the country.
Phase 2 will now expand these successes, with a stronger focus on clinical engagement, training for emerging researchers, and increased involvement of patients in shaping cancer research priorities.
The new phase will also foster closer integration between hospitals, universities, and biotechnology start-ups to accelerate discoveries from the lab to the clinic.
Patients at the heart of research
Central to POI’s vision is the involvement of patients in driving meaningful change. Among them is Siobhan Gaynor, a researcher and patient advocate living with advanced breast cancer.
Through her work with Cancer Trials Ireland, Siobhan has helped amplify the voices of patients living with Stage IV cancer, ensuring that their needs – from improved quality of life to better data collection – remain integral to the cancer research agenda.
She explained: “Most Stage IV cancers are incurable, although thanks to science and research, we are now living longer.
“The challenge has moved to focus on quality-of-life needs as well as the need for more real-world data to be gathered to better inform service delivery and hopefully improve our care.
“In addition, we are hoping to better educate the public and the health service about the realities of living with an advanced cancer diagnosis.”
Shaping the future of cancer research in Ireland
With Phase 2 now underway, POI aims to place Ireland at the forefront of international precision oncology.
By combining innovation, collaboration, and compassion, this next chapter of cancer research promises not only new discoveries but also a future where every patient’s treatment is as individual as their diagnosis.