Overview
Since 20 September 2021 self-declared 'non-commercial organisations' are no longer required to provide a lobby budget. See above timeline for this registrant's historical lobby budget.
Lobbying Costs
None declared
Financial year: Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Lobbyists (Full time equivalent)
3 Fte (3)
Lobbyists with EP accreditation
0
High-level Commission meetings
0
Lobbying Costs over the years
-
Info
Breast International Group (BIG)
EU Transparency Register
299813151410-65 First registered on 19 Oct 2023
Goals / Remit
The Breast International Group, a Belgian-based health non-governmental organization, has been at the forefront of academic breast cancer research for nearly 25 years. BIG operates as the world's largest global network in breast cancer research, comprising 59 academic research groups including 26 EU Member States. This extensive network is dedicated to the pursuit of improved treatments and potential cures for breast cancer. The core mission of BIG is to eliminate redundant research efforts, promote the sharing of valuable data, expedite the development of advanced therapies, and enhance the prospects of finding lasting solutions and cures for breast cancer patients. Over the years, BIG's groundbreaking studies have not only reshaped clinical practices but have also significantly advanced public health, impacting the lives of millions of individuals. In cases involving medicinal products, these studies have played a crucial role in enhancing accessibility to life-saving treatments.
Main EU files targeted
The Breast International Group (BIG) aligns closely with the European Commission's Beating Cancer Plan, emphasizing research, innovation, and early detection. BIG conducts large-scale international clinical trials to evaluate new treatments and therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. These trials involve collaboration with research groups from around the world and their affiliated cancer centres and hospitals, allowing for the collection of diverse data and a comprehensive assessment of treatment options. This global research and clinical trials advance breast cancer understanding and innovative treatments, supporting the EC's call for enhanced cancer care research.
BIG recognises the importance of the EC's goal of early detection in improving breast cancer outcomes. With regard to BIG’s research, the “early detection” relates more specifically to being able to identify breast cancer patients who may be at risk of relapse after having received standard therapy (in general, surgery plus or minus radiotherapy). Being able to do this, means that precious healthcare resources can be used more efficiently. For example, in the context of a Network of Excellence (TRANSBIG) that received EC financial support (2004 – 2011), BIG co-ran the study MINDACT that contributed to validating a genomic tool (MammaPrint®) to identify which patients are likely to have a breast cancer recurrence (and therefore require additional treatment) or not. Other studies with a similar objective to determine relapse risk have looked into innovative technologies like blood testing (“liquid biopsies”)) as less invasive alternative to traditional biopsies. Beyond this, BIG promotes awareness campaigns to sensitise the public about the importance of such research.
Additionally, BIG's efforts in personalised medicine aim to identify and develop targeted therapies that can provide more effective and less toxic treatments for breast cancer patients. BIG's research has led to the development and validation of new targeted therapies, such as HER2-targeted drugs like trastuzumab (Herceptin®). Through the joint research efforts of its member groups, BIG has contributed to the advancement of personalised medicine in breast cancer t. This approach tailors treatment plans to an individual's unique genetic makeup and the specific characteristics of their tumour, increasing the chances of success while minimising side effects. For instance, the DCIS study aims to refine radiotherapy for a more precise and shorter treatment duration, while the MINDACT study, using the MammaPrint test alongside conventional testing, spares many patients from chemotherapy and its associated side effects.Address
Head Office
Bretagnestraat 20, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert 1200
BELGIUMEU Office
Bretagnestraat 20, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert 1200
BELGIUMWebsite
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People
Total lobbyists declared
3
Employment time Lobbyists 100% 3 Lobbyists (Full time equivalent)
3
Lobbyists with EP accreditation
No lobbyists with EP accreditations
Complementary Information
BIG count a total of 42 employees.
with respect to the activities described by the registry BIG counts:
25 employees on 100%
5 employees on 80%
1 employee on 90%
TOTAL : 29.9Person in charge of EU relations
Data not provided by Register Secretariat due to GDPR
Person with legal responsibility
Data not provided by Register Secretariat due to GDPR
-
Categories
Category
Non-governmental organisations, platforms and networks and similar
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Networking
Affiliation
VEF-AERF VEF vzw-AERF asbl ::: Vereniging voor Ethiek in de Fondsenwerving (vef-aerf.be) /
Association pour une Éthique dans les Récoltes de Fonds
Being a member of the above (needing to comply with strict criteria) provides a “quality label” for our fundraising activity
https://www.monasbl.be/ - we are members of this because it gives guidance / ideas for non-profits under Belgian law
Fundraisers Forum – Fundraisers – this is similar to monasbl but focused on Belgian organizations that fundraise https://fundraisers.be/
https://faib.org/ Federation of European and International Associations established in Belgium – we are members of this because of the useful information / support that it provides for Belgian-based international organizations like ours
https://www.fundraisersalliancebelgium.be/ - we are members of this as well; it is similar to the Fundraisers Forum for information, training, etc
Association Française des Fundraiser –
And this one as well, similar to the Fundraisers Forum & Fundraisers Alliance https://www.fundraisers.fr/
NCVO | NCVO – National Council for Voluntary Organisations – for similar reasons as above, for combination of information relevant to non-profits / charities, including training https://www.ncvo.org.uk/#/Member organisations
We coordinate the BIG network, encompassing almost 60over 50 academic collaborative research groups and data centres focused on breast cancer. Some BIG groups are regional, some are national or even international. Each BIG group is associated with one to several hundred member hospitals and investigators, creating a global network of thousands of institutions and individuals worldwide.
World’s Leading Experts in Breast Cancer and Advanced Research (bigagainstbreastcancer.org)
We also collaborate with patient advocates in a Patient Partnership Initiative (PPI), the main objectives being to broaden and elevate BIG’s interaction with patients as partners.
BIG is extremely grateful to all those – foundations, institutions, companies and individuals – who, through supporting its activities and projects, make it possible to get a step closer to finding cures for breast cancer. Thanks to the support of foundations such as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Women's Club of Burssels, Cognizant foundation, the International Giving Foundation, Eurofins foundation, Fondation Cancer, Stichting tegen Kanker, The King Baudouin Foundation, Fonds Baillet Latour, Private Futur 21 Foundation, NIF Foundation for Aid to Humanitarian Projects, Think Pink,... BIG is able to maintain the financing of the participation of patients in BIG’s trials. -
Financial Data
Interests represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Closed financial year
Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Lobbying costs for closed financial year
Since 20 September 2021 self-declared 'non-commercial organisations' are no longer required to provide a lobby budget. See above timeline for this registrant's historical lobby budget.
Total organisational budget in closed year
13,130,296€
Major funding types in closed year
Member's contribution, Donations
Major contributions in closed year
Type Name Amount Contribution Astrazeneca 4,102,146€ Contribution F Hoffmann-La Roche AG 3,267,082€ Major contributions in current year
Type Name Amount Grant EU BIG-SCOPE 500,000€ Other financial info
None declared
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EU Structures
Groups (European Commission)
none
Groups (European Parliament)
Cancer
Communication activities
Our most important communication actions happen during Pink October, also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the world unites to raise awareness about breast cancer, honour those affected by the disease, and emphasise the importance of early detection and research. During this critical month, the Breast International Group (BIG) plays a pivotal role in aligning closely with the European Commission's Beating Cancer Plan, contributing significantly to the fight against breast cancer through research, innovation, and early detection.
One of BIG's prominent communication initiatives involves spreading awareness about its large-scale international clinical trials. Through strategic messaging and collaboration with its member groups and affiliated research centres and hospitals worldwide, BIG effectively communicates the significance of these trials in evaluating new breast cancer treatments and therapeutic strategies. By involving diverse global stakeholders, BIG demonstrates its commitment to advancing research in line with the EC's emphasis on cancer care research. BIG's communication campaigns highlight success stories and breakthroughs such as the refinement of radiotherapy in the DCIS study or the , in the MINDACT study, the avoidance of chemotherapy for patients unlikely to benefit from it. These success stories serve as inspiring examples of how research can transform breast cancer treatment, and the lives of those confronted with the disease. Through strategic messaging, awareness campaigns, and success stories, BIG reinforces the significance of research, innovation, and early detection, bringing us closer to a world where breast cancer is treatable, preventable and even curable.Other activities
None declared
Meetings
Meetings
None declared