Patient access to innovative therapies, the prospects for the development of clinical research in Cyprus, and the challenges faced by the healthcare system in evaluating and funding new treatment options were the main themes of the event “AbbVie ONE – Human-Centered Innovation,” co-organized by the MSJ Group and AbbVie on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Old City Hall in Nicosia.
The event, held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, brought together representatives from the government, the medical and scientific communities, healthcare organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and patients, in a dialogue on the future of healthcare in Cyprus.
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At the heart of the presentations and exchange of views was a critical question: How can scientific progress be translated more quickly into new treatment options for patients? Particular emphasis was placed on the role of innovation, the need to formulate policies that will accelerate access to new therapies and address unmet medical needs, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ quality of life.
Government Support and Prospects for Cyprus
In a message, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, after congratulating the MSJ Group and AbbVie on the initiative, emphasized the importance of scientific research, innovation, and collaboration as key pillars for improving health and quality of life. He stressed, however, that progress only has real value when it translates into tangible benefits for people, emphasizing that timely, safe, high-quality, and equitable access to new and effective treatments is a top priority. At the same time, he highlighted Cyprus’s significant potential in the field of clinical research and innovation, noting that collaboration between the government, the scientific and academic communities, and the pharmaceutical industry can create new opportunities for health, the economy, and society.
The Minister of Energy, Trade, and Industry, Mr. Michalis Damianos, pointed out that innovation is a driving force behind economic growth, social progress, and improved quality of life, placing particular emphasis on its human dimension in the health sector. At the same time, he noted that innovation is a strategic priority for the government and a key pillar of the country’s development model, pointing out that Cyprus possesses significant comparative advantages and the conditions necessary to evolve into a regional hub for innovation and technology. Achieving this goal, he said, requires close cooperation between the government, businesses, research institutions, and society.
Collaboration as a Bridge from Science to the Patient
Welcoming the distinguished guests, Ms. Olga Brown—AbbVie Cyprus Portfolio Leader—emphasized that innovation cannot be evaluated solely on the basis of scientific breakthroughs, but primarily by its impact on human life. Behind every clinical study and every new treatment, she noted, there is a person with dreams, plans, and the desire to continue living with quality and dignity. Referring to the collaboration between the MSJ Group and AbbVie, she noted that international scientific expertise, combined with a deep understanding of the Cypriot context, can create more opportunities for patients in Cyprus.
Innovation in Dialogue
The Executive Manager of the MSJ Group, Ms. Chrysoula Iakovidou, highlighted the importance of the MSJ Group’s long-standing collaboration with AbbVie and its role in strengthening the link between international scientific progress and the needs of patients in Cyprus. At the same time, she underscored the importance of reliability, scientific knowledge, and partnerships for the timely and responsible utilization of innovative treatment options, noting that access is a chain of interconnected stages, from research and approval to evaluation, reimbursement, the education of healthcare professionals, and the safe use of therapies. She noted that the MSJ Group’s mission is to bridge this gap, in all its forms, by serving as a link between international innovation, the Cypriot medical community, and the patient.
The President and CEO of AbbVie Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Ms. Lambrini Barbetaki, spoke about the new opportunities opening up for Cyprus in the healthcare sector, noting that, following the significant reform of the General Healthcare System (GESY), the country can move on to the next step, placing greater emphasis on the quality of care, treatment outcomes, and its contribution to the international production of scientific knowledge. He also presented the scope of AbbVie’s research activities, noting that the company invested approximately 13.8 billion dollars in Research and Development in 2025, and expressed the company’s ambition to contribute to the development of clinical research in Cyprus, the exchange of expertise, and the creation of new scientific collaborations, leveraging its partnership with the MSJ Group.
The Director of Pathology and Oncology at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, Dr. Dimitris Papamichail, highlighted the challenges that continue to arise between the approval of a new treatment and a patient’s access to it, emphasizing, at the same time, the importance of clinical research, evidence of therapeutic benefit, and equitable access to innovative treatment options. As he pointed out, scientific progress alone is not enough if it is not accompanied by effective mechanisms that allow new treatments to reach the people who need them.
The President of the Cyprus Neurological Society, Dr. Costas Michaelides, emphasized the need for modern neuroscience to shift from treating symptoms to early detection and more substantive intervention in the biology of the disease. Focusing on conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and migraine, she emphasized that progress is not merely about developing more treatment options, but about the ability to determine which treatment is most appropriate for each patient and when it should be administered.
Ms. Olga Pitsillidi, Officer A at the National Organization for Health Care Evaluation (OAU), discussed the role of evaluating new therapies and their funding within the framework of a sustainable health care system, focusing on the distinction between a treatment that is merely new and one that offers substantial added value. As he explained, decisions regarding the inclusion and reimbursement of innovative therapies require an evidence-based assessment of their clinical benefit, the quality of life they offer, the cost, and the uncertainty that may accompany the available data.
The voice of patients was conveyed by the Honorary President of OSAC, Mr. Marios Kouloumas, who spoke from his personal experience with rheumatoid arthritis, which he was diagnosed with at the age of just ten. Reflecting on the changes brought about by medical advances, he highlighted the difference between an era of limited treatment options and today’s ability to provide personalized care. At the same time, she emphasized that the existence of an innovative treatment does not automatically guarantee timely access to it.
Together for Tomorrow
In closing the event, MSJ Group Director Savvas Iakovidis reflected on the Group’s 82-year history and its pioneering role in introducing new pharmaceutical therapies to Cyprus. He emphasized the importance of the long-standing collaboration with AbbVie and their shared commitment to scientific progress, noting that the value of innovation lies in the opportunities it offers for better treatments and an improved quality of life for patients. “We are committed to continuing with knowledge, responsibility, and dedication to a common goal: to transform progress and innovation into real benefits for people’s lives,” Mr. Iakovidis stated, emphasizing that the future of healthcare is shaped through collective effort.
Innovation with a Human Touch
The “AbbVie ONE – Human-Centered Innovation” event highlighted that innovation in healthcare is not limited to the discovery of new therapies or the advancement of technology. It requires linking scientific progress to the real needs of patients, timely access to effective treatment options, the responsible use of resources, and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Through the collaboration between the MSJ Group and AbbVie, a shared commitment is evident to strengthen the dialogue surrounding the future of healthcare in Cyprus and to create the conditions for innovation to translate into a better quality of life, more treatment options, and tangible benefits for the people who need them.
Because the true success of innovation is measured not only by what science can achieve, but by what it ultimately manages to change in patients’ lives.
MSJ Group: Over 80 Years in the Healthcare Sector
With a presence spanning more than 80 years in the healthcare sector, the MSJ Group has established itself as one of the leading pharmaceutical groups in Cyprus. Through strategic partnerships with leading international pharmaceutical companies, it bridges global scientific knowledge and expertise with the needs of the Cypriot market, helping to ensure patients have access to modern and innovative treatment options. Its long history is marked by continuous growth and investment in partnerships that enhance the capabilities of pharmaceutical care in Cyprus.
AbbVie: One of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies
AbbVie ranks among the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, with a strong international presence and significant investments in scientific research and the development of innovative therapies. With a presence in more than 70 countries, it leverages its scientific expertise and the capabilities of modern biotechnology to develop pioneering therapeutic approaches for complex and serious diseases. Its activities span key therapeutic areas, such as immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and ophthalmology, with the goal of addressing unmet medical needs and improving the quality of life for millions of people around the world.
