Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) introduced the Give Kids a Chance Act, which would give children with cancer access to combination therapy trials. The bill will also incentivize pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for rare pediatric diseases.
“Children with cancer deserve access to the most advanced medicines possible, and we must ensure our medical professionals have every tool at their disposal to treat them,” said Bennet. “Our bill will help child cancer patients access lifesaving trials and therapies to battle this disease. I will work across the aisle to get this done and keep fighting to end children’s cancer.”
“No child should have to endure the pain and suffering that many with cancer have unfortunately faced,” said Mullin. “The extension of the Pediatric Priority Review Voucher Program incentivizes companies to develop treatments and therapies for pediatric diseases. Additionally, this bill will allow kids to participate in combination trials that include targeted medicines to ensure that they are able to fight cancer with every possible option out there. Our kids deserve a fighting chance and that is exactly what this bill gives them.”
In the United States, almost 16,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. However, children have extremely limited treatment options compared to adults. The Give Kids a Chance Act will authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require pediatric studies to combine certain molecularly-targeted oncology drugs or biologics to determine if the combination of therapies can help treat the growth and progression of pediatric cancer. Combination therapy trials have proven successful in adults with cancer, especially in preventing relapse and improving quality of life during cancer treatment. Most pediatric cancer patients that are currently participating in drug trials have relapsed cancers.
The bill also reauthorizes the FDA priority review voucher program, which incentivizes pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for rare pediatric diseases by allowing them to expedite FDA review of more profitable drugs.
“It is critical that we ensure continued progress in children’s cancer research and that we accelerate the delivery of better therapies. This bill will help us do that.” said Clifford A. Hudis, M.D., CEO, American Society of Clinical Oncology.
“Combining a drug with other drugs or with other therapeutic approaches has been critical to successful treatments of infectious diseases (including AIDS) and other maladies (including cancers). Reducing the obstacles to testing such combinations—in pediatric cancer and elsewhere— is a highly desirable goal, so I urge Congress to ensure that measures for doing so are included in appropriate legislation.” said Harold Varmus, M.D., Nobel Laureate in Medicine.
“As a pediatric oncologist, I know first-hand that the Give Kids a Chance Act helps bring the best and most promising treatments to children with cancer today and in the future. Most children diagnosed with cancer require treatment with several combinations of drugs administered over the course of many months to years to give them the greatest chance for a cure. Without critical research and funding to determine the best, safest and most effective combinations of treatments, we won’t be able to advance cancer treatment and will lose the progress we have made to date. Our children across the country deserve better than this, and Give Kids a Chance allows these kids and their families to have hope.” said Dr. Lia Gore, M.D., Chief of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to live a long, healthy and productive life. Sadly, there are children living with rare diseases who will never get that chance. This bipartisan legislation can help. It renews the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program, which for more than a decade has helped incentivize the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases, at no cost to taxpayers. I’d like to thank Sens. Mullin and Bennet for sponsoring this bipartisan legislation and supporting the reauthorization of this vital program, and for keeping hope alive for countless families and children living with a rare disease,” said John F. Crowley, President and CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization.
“Nearly 3 out of 4 rare diseases originate in childhood, yet the vast majority of affected children have no FDA-approved treatment. The Give Kids a Chance Act takes vital steps to accelerate the development and availability of therapies for these devastating conditions. The creation of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher injected hope and incentives for innovation into the pediatric drug development pipeline. The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases extends our profound appreciation to Senators Mullin and Bennet for championing the Give Kids a Chance Act. This legislation safeguards a critical incentive that has driven progress in rare disease drug development without imposing any burden on taxpayers. With the temporary lapse of the PRV Program causing uncertainty and delays in therapy development decisions, it is essential to restore its authorization in a timely manner and ensure continued innovation for those who need it most,” said Jamie Sullivan, Vice President of Policy, EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases.
Bennet previously introduced the Give Kids a Chance Act in 2022.
The bill is supported by the following organizations: Kids v Cancer, Truth 365, Grandparents in Action, Team G Childhood Cancer Foundation, The Dalton Fox Foundation, Unravel Pediatric Cancer, West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaders, 1Voice Foundation, A Moment of Magic, Ada’s Spark, Inc., Addison Jo Blair Foundation, Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Alberto’s Angels, Alex’s Angels, Alex’s Army Childhood Cancer Foundation, Alonzo’s League of Friends, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels, American Childhood Cancer Organization, Ashton’s Angels, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation, Austin Hatcher Foundation, Ava’s Army, AYJ FUND, Bald Beauties Project, Band of Parents, Battlecorn Care Packages Co / Battlecorn Global, Bear Necessities, Bearing Hope 2u, Berry Strong Foundation, Big Hope Little Warrior Cancer Foundation, Brantley Francis Foundation, BrAva Fight, Brave Like McKenna, Brighter Tomorrows, Brittney’s Believers, Bryttan’s Battalion, Bubba Strong Charitable Fund, Butterfly Box Project, Inc., C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, Camp Good Days & Special Times, Camp Journey NW, Cancer Community Clubhouse, Cancer Hope Network, CancerFree KIDS, Candlelighters for Children with Cancer, Carson Leslie Foundation, cc-TDI, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, Charleys Rainbow Foundation, Childhood Cancer Warriors, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Children’s Cancer Cause, Christina Renna Foundation, Inc., CKMC Foundation, Colt 45 Strong, Inc., Comfort, Cuddles, Inc., Conner Cares DBA C3, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, Cora Crush Cancer Foundation Inc., Cory’s Project, Curing Kids Cancer, D-Feet Cancer, DanceBlue, Daniela Conte Foundation, Danna’s Encanto Foundation, District 20W Lions Club, Dragon Master Foundation, Elaine Roberts Foundation, Elevate Childhood Cancer, Eliy’s Sunflowers, End Kids Cancer, EVAN Foundation, Evan Rhys Foundation, Evoke Warriors, Faces of Cancer St. Lucia, Families of Children with Cancer, Family Fields of Hopes & Dreams, Feel Better Foundation, Fight Like a Kid, Friends of Faith Pruden Foundation, Gabriella’s Smile Foundation, Galena Fall Gathering, Gavin’s Guardians, Give Kids the World, GoGoldForChildhoodCancer, Gold In September, Gold Rush Cure Foundation, Goldengirls, Gs Giving Gowns, Hannah’s Cans For Cancer, Home Together, Hope 4 Little Heroes Foundation, Hunter’s Cancer Journey, Hurri Kanenâ’s Kids, Jake’s Dragon Foundation, Jammers Strong Foundation, Jarrett’s Joy Cart, Inc., Jazzy Journey, JCStrong, Joey’s Wings Foundation, Katie’s Krew Foundation, Keimryn Strong Foundation, Kennedy Ladd Foundation, Kick Childhood Cancer Guild, Kids Cancer Alliance, Inc., Kids Join the Fight, Koastrong, KoaStrong Childhood Cancer Prevention Organization, Krishnan Family Foundation, Kyle Daniel Kerpan Foundation, Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society, Lilabean Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research, Links for Lungs Philadelphia, Little Warrior Foundation, Liv – In The Journey Foundation, Live Like John, Live Like Laiken, Logan Strong Foundation, Love Like Jackson Foundation, Love Lily, Love Smiles, Luke’s Legacy VA, Lymphedema Advocacy Group, Mackey Family Childrens Cancer Foundation, Magic for Maddie, Making Headway Foundation, Mama Bears Fighting Childhood Cancer, Marc Jr. Foundation, MasonStrong Village, Matthew’s Hope 4 Miracles, Maynard Childhood Cancer Foundation, McKenna Claire Foundation, McKenna Claire Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research, Medulloblastoma Research Coalition, Melissa’s Legacy Foundation, Inc., MIB Agents Osteosarcoma Alliance, Mithil Prasad Foundation, Momcology, Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information, Mystic Force Foundation, NATHAN’S STORY, NoahNation, Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation, Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation, Oncology Nursing Society, One Ribbon United, Our Amazing Fighters, Paige’s Butterfly Run, Inc., Payton Alexander Foundation, Pediatric Assessment Learning & Support, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Action Network, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Phoenix Stone Foundation, PNOC Foundation, Princess Aaralyn Foundation, Inc., Princess Hailey’s Hope Foundation, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Rett’s Roost, Rivera’s Rainbows, Robby Butlers, Roberto’s Smile, Rocco Strong, Inc., Rosie’s Adventures, Rylan Strong Network, Sadie Keller Foundation, Sammy’s Superheroes Foundation, Savannah Walters Memorial Foundation, Sent With Love, Seth’s Squad, She Still Persisted, Inc., Shepherd Foundation, Sisters Outreach Foundation, Ski Fast Foundation, Sofia’s Hope, Inc., Sophia Strong Foundation, Inc., Standing with Krystalyn, STORMSTRONG Foundation, Strong Little Souls, Super Drew’s Crew, Super Hero Fund, Swifty Foundation, Talia’s Legacy, Taylor Matthews Foundation, Team Campbell Foundation, Team Gingersnap, Team Jack, Team Talia Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Teen Cancer America, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, The Ayla Foundation, The Brittany Fund, The Candace Metten DIPG Research Foundation, Inc., The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation, The Cure Starts Now Foundation, The Evelyn Swierczynski Foundation, The For The Win Project, The Gold Hope Project, The Haley Rasco Foundation, The Jesse Heikkila Foundation, The Kortney Rose Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, The Lilabean Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research, The MACC Fund, The Maeve McNicholas Memorial Foundation, The Max Cure Foundation, The Max Pound Foundation, The Max Vincze Foundation, The Mighty Millie Foundation, The Morgan Adams Foundation, The NICK Foundation, The Sadie Strong Foundation, The Sam Bish Foundation, The Scott Carter Foundation, The Taylor Matthews Foundation, The Taylor Matthews Foundation, The Valerie Fund, The Vivienne Finn Foundation, Three Sisters Give, Tiny Warriors Child Cancer Organization, Tommy Strong Foundation, Tyler Robinson Foundation, Tyler Trent Foundation, Until 20, Warrior Enguerrand, Well Yeah Ariel Roberts Foundation, West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaderes, Why We Wave Foundation, Whyatt’s Warriors, Williams Warriors, Wyatt’s Warrior’s Toy Chest, Wylie’s Day Foundation, Yasica’s Serene Spirit Foundation, Yusef’s Legacy, Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation, Zach’s Toy Chest.
The text of the bill is available HERE.